NEWCASTLE Falcons refuse to look beyond tomorrow's match at home to Edinburgh, but if they win they can take the high road to Murrayfield next week and dream of returning there next spring.

The Scottish HQ is to stage the final of the Heineken Cup on May 22, and while it may be wishful thinking for the Falcons to get there, they can at least contemplate a prestigious quarter-final place.

After winning their first two games against Newport and Perpignan, back-to-back wins against Edinburgh would set them up perfectly.

The visitors did well in this event last season, but have lost their first two games this year and have only the Borders below them in the Celtic League.

They feature a couple of kilted Kiwis in skipper Todd Blackadder and fly half Brendan Laney, who played 14 times for Scotland.

Blackadder, 33, captained the All Blacks in ten of his 12 appearances and in his third season with Edinburgh has also taken over as forwards coach.

This pits him against fellow Kiwi Ross Nesdale, the former Falcons hooker who has returned as forwards coach this season and is doing a "fantastic" job according to current hooker Andy Long.

The former Bath, Munster and Rotherham player, still only 27, said: "Having Ross here is brilliant for me. With his knowledge and experience being able to talk to him and bounce ideas off each other has been working really well.

"Ross got the forwards together for a meal and a quiz on Wednesday night. I'd like to say the front row were the intellectual powerhouses, but we were pipped at the post by the back row.

"It was a great night and things like that prove to me that the team spirit is better than at any other club I have played for.

"We are all in it for the same reason. We all want to succeed, we are all enjoying it and I'm glad I made the move up here.

"The environment makes it very easy to settle, everyone is very open and honest so you know what's expected of you. I have been given more responsibility than elsewhere and I'm thriving on it."

One of Long's front row opponents tomorrow will be Durham-born prop Joel Brannigan, who spent time with West Hartlepool and the Falcons and finally joined Edinburgh from London Welsh three years ago.

Another ex-Falcon, fly half Phil Godman, is on the bench for Edinburgh, whose current internationals are full back Hugo Southwell, winger Chris Paterson and flanker Allister Hogg. Craig Joiner is on the other wing.

The Falcons have Mark Mayerhofler back at centre for Epi Taione but are keeping their own Scots, locks Stuart Grimes and Craig Hamilton, out of the firing line. Luke Gross and Andy Buist continue, although Grimes will be on the bench if he has recovered sufficiently from a back problem picked up in the autumn internationals.

The need for a victory in National Three North will see Darlington's player-coach Craig Lee and his brother Paul defy niggling injuries in today's home game against third-placed Fylde.

But Lee Davies will be rested for two weeks following a blow on the head against Mowden Park last week, so Ben Snook switches from fly half to centre.

"Centre could be his best position," said Craig Lee. "He did well last week, he looks good in training and he's as keen as mustard. He just wants to play first team rugby.

"We need some points from this game, Kendal away next week then New Brighton at home to pull clear of the bottom clubs."

Michael Taylor returns after his hamstring injury, but will be at blind side in the hope that he can make his mobility count while Del Lewis is considered to have greater ball-carrying power at No 8.

Hooker Dan Oselton is still not fit. He has been playing college rugby in midweek but Darlington now want him to rest his back problem.

Darlington Mowden Park have succeeded in registering former Barnard Castle School winger James Hamer, who is attached to the Newcastle Academy and spent the summer playing in New Zealand.

Although small, he is said to be very fast and is in the side to visit Dudley Kingswinford with Tom Lauriston switching to centre after shaking off flu.

Matt Wright is rested because of a slight calf problem, so Fosita Tanginoa switches to open side with Matthew Holmes at six. Tim Wilks has recovered from injury and he and Jason Smithson provide back row cover on the bench.

As New Zealander Hayden Cullen has gone home for a month Blaydon are likely to have Gavin Stainsby at No 8 for the visit of Kendal.

They are also considering playing Justin Clarke, a flanker turned prop, at No 6 to beef up the back row for a game they are desperate to win after a run of eight defeats.

Centre Andy Khan and winger Simon Barber are fit to return, while skipper Dave Guthrie has started to take contact in training and could be back before Christmas.

* Newcastle Falcons' Mathew Tait last night helped England to their first Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens title by beating a fiery Fijian side 26-21 in a pulsating final.

Fiji started well, with Kameli Ratuvou scoring, but they were then rocked by a triple strike.

Pat Sanderson cut inside to level the scores, before replacements Neil Starling and Tait added a try each to put England 19-7 up at half-time. Rob Thirlby extended that lead before Fiji picked up the pace and came rushing back.

Neumi Nanuku swerved through to reduce the deficit, before Marika Vakacegu added another quick try to leave England's lead looking far from secure.

But then, with Fiji on the attack, Tuidriva Bainivalu needlessly tripped Geoff Appleford and the referee awarded a penalty to England which ran down the clock