Noon planning to outshine rival for his England place

He will be up against Olly Barkley, one of his teammates in last season's Six Nations Championship, and knows that Leicester's Ollie Smith and Gloucester's Mike Tindall will also be pressing for places this season.

Noon received top billing in Falcons' win at Northampton last week and said: "I got a bit more chance to work in space because the forwards played better. It invited us to work off them, which is what every back wants.

"As a team we upped our level, which we needed to do because we were awful against Bristol the previous week."

Speaking of Barkley, 26-year-old Noon said: "He has shown he's a great kicker and he's a fantastic handler of the ball. He knows the game defensively and he's sound, so it's going to be tough if he's in their side. But it's not just about him - they have a lot of good players."

Noon admitted that after fulfilling a dream by being a regular in the England side last season, he didn't want it to end.

"I badly want some more, but it all starts with the club game and I'm working as hard as I can with the rest of the lads.

"I'm trying not to think about England. In previous years when I felt I had a chance my game went a bit to pot but I'm more relaxed about it now. I've had the chance of a rest this summer and I'm just enjoying getting stuck into Premiership games and picking up where I left off."

Director of Rugby Rob Andrew has made two changes, recalling winger Anthony Elliott and flanker Cory Harris after injury to face a Bath team who have lost their opening three games.

With Mathew Tait retained on the other wing, Elliott replaces Tom May, an ever-present last season.

"Anthony started the season on fire and he and Mat are the form players for us on the wing," said Andrew. "Tom has not been at his very best but he's an excellent player and it will come. We now have competition for places throughout the side.

May isn't even on the bench, with Andrew again opting for only two backs. "One has to be a scrum half so the other has to be able to play in several positions, which is why we're gone for Toby Flood," he explained.

"Bath are a very good side with a lot of internationals. There are just a few small bits missing which do not take much putting right. If they had kicked their points against Bristol and Northampton they would have won those games. How we deal with their big, experienced pack will decide the outcome."

Prop Micky Ward echoed those sentiments, saying: "They have a really good pack and are coming up here to turn us over and get their season back on track."

Ward has switched back to loose head this season following the arrival of Robbie Morris and said: "It's fantastic to have the competition. We can have two full sets of forwards doing the contact stuff in training.

"Owen Finegan's experience and technical knowhow is also a huge help. It's been like adding another Matt Burke to the squad. Owen's knowledge of the line-out is amazing."

The Falcons have offered Darlington prop Dan Miller a few games in their Development XV, starting next Monday.

Darlington player-coach Craig Lee said: "He has been putting in the performances and deserves the chance. He knows what it's all about and if he were three or four inches taller he'd be a Premiership player already."

Miller will still be available for National Three North games and is in the side to visit Kendal today, but Darlington have had to make a change at hooker as Michael Stowe is not travelling back from Stirling University. David Taylor and Freddie Forrest will share the hooking duties.

Darlington Mowden Park entertain Bradford and Bingley, who are among the title favourites, and it promises to be a tough baptism for ex-Blaydon forwards Gavin Stainsby and Ricky Bagier.

Although he has played mainly at No 8 or blind side, Mowden are utilising Stainsby's bulk at lock, while Bagier is on the small side but has plenty of pace and fire at open side. He was highly rated as a youngster but has been abroad for a couple of years.

In North One, Middlesbrough visit West Park St Helens with Dave Richardson at centre in place of his brother Lee, who strained a hamstring last week. Ben Horton will hook as his cousin, Richard Horton, is working, while Mark Kerruish retains his place at open side.

Westoe go to Morley in a re-run of last season's Powergen Intermediate Cup final, which they lost.

Stockton have Andy Bare at full back and Peter Armstrong at centre for their North Two East match at home to Percy Park. Hooker Danny Muirhead switches to prop and in the absence of Wayne Brown, Mark Thornton joins Ian Todd and Brett Wildridge in the back row.

In the same division, Durham City will find themselves up against former Tynedale player Alan Moses, who has been selected at fly half, when they visit Alnwick.

* Former Great Britain rugby league full-back Graham Steadman has become full-time defensive coach to the Ireland rugby union team.

Steadman, 43, who was assistant coach with Great Britain for last year's Tri-Nations Series, succeeds another rugby league international, Mike Ford, who is now head coach at Saracens.

Steadman joined Munster as defensive coach 12 months ago after being sacked by Super League club Castleford and will continue to work with the provincial team until they find a replacement.

''Graham Steadman's record as a defensive coach speaks for itself and I am sure that he will bring fresh ideas to add to the Irish team's strong defensive record,'' said Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

Steadman won ten Great Britain caps from 1990-94 and was a member of the Lions team which famously beat Australia 33-10 in Melbourne in 1992.