NEWCASTLE Falcons youngster Mathew Tait will be free of nerves when he wins his first England cap in today's Dubai Sevens - because he's too busy worrying about how his mum will react to his current lack of hair.

The 18-year-old, who is based in the County Durham village of Wolsingham, is part of the England sevens side in Dubai to compete in the opening tournament of the IRB Sevens series.

Fellow Falcon Ollie Phillips is also in the squad for today's pool games against Scotland, Uganda and France.

The duo are making the step up to full international level, but the quality of the opposition is not the only factor working against them as they try to earn England's first success in the Dubai tournament.

With temperatures soaring above 30 degrees, England's players have struggled to keep their cool during practice this week.

Drastic conditions call for drastic measures but, after shaving his scalp, Tait is ready for a hair-raising reaction when he returns to the North-East.

"I fancied a change and decided to do it because it's so hot out here and I didn't want to sweat," said Tait who, like Falcons' coach Rob Andrew, is a former pupil of Barnard Castle school.

"I'm quite happy with it but I don't think my mum will like it too much!

"It's been fun so far, but I'm looking forward to getting the first game under way. I've been nervous for a few days now because it's a big step up, but I should be okay once I start playing."

Tait's elevation to the senior England squad was reward for a series of impressive performances during his first full season with the Falcons.

Phillips just missed out when the original 12-man travelling party was named last week but, after Gloucester's James Bailey was required for club duty, he found himself packing his bags in a hurry.

"It was a bit of a shock to be honest," admitted the 22-year-old. "But it's been an awesome experience so far.

"I've been to Dubai before with my family, but this is my first rugby trip out here and it's been great.

"It's hard playing in such heat - I keep being told off for not re-hydrating enough - but our training has gone well and we're looking forward to the games now."

Meanwhile, a little closer to home, Newcastle lock Stuart Grimes will be up against some familiar faces when Edinburgh visit Kingston Park in the Heineken Cup on Sunday.

Grimes played with Watsonians and Glasgow before moving to Falcons and, after spending the last three weeks with the Scotland squad, is determined to make sure his international team-mates leave England empty-handed.

"I know a lot of guys who play for them," said the 30-year-old. "In fact I know almost every single one of them because the majority have been involved with the Scotland squad.

"They're quite an ambitious side. They like to play with a lot of width and they throw the ball about, which is great for the fans because that's the way we like to play as well.

"They had a decent run in the Heineken Cup last year and they play an attractive style of rugby.

The Falcons are riding high after European wins against Newport Gwent Dragons and Perpignan, and Grimes is confident they have what it takes to maintain their 100 per cent record in the forthcoming double-header with Edinburgh.

"We've given ourselves a chance with our first two results but it means nothing unless we win these next two games against Edinburgh.

"It's unusual playing the same team twice in a week and it's a bit like a Test series in terms of the preparation.

"It's a massive opportunity for us to help our progression in the biggest club competition in Europe, so we're desperate to get two wins out of these two games."