NEWCASTLE Falcons are determined not to be bullied by Saracens in today's Guinness Premiership match at Kingston Park.

The threat of relegation has forced the Falcons to toughen up in the forwards since they lost 27-18 away to Saracens in November.

Rob Andrew's men began their next match at the foot of the table, but victory at home to Wasps sparked a run which has seen them lose only once in nine games.

But only four of those have been in the Premiership and Leeds' resurgence means the Falcons are still not safe, although they can climb above Saracens by winning today.

"They are a very physical side under Steve Diamond and they will try to bully us," said Andrew. "It's our job to match that up front.

"In the past perhaps we would not have been in a position to do that and they have got the better of us. We have scores to settle and we believe we can do that. It's another real test to see how good we are."

Following the outstanding win at Brive last week, which has resulted in a Sky-televised European Challenge Cup quarter-final at home to Connacht on Friday, March 31, Andrew has made only one change.

Anthony Elliott returns on the wing for James Hoyle and there is still no sign of Jonny Wilkinson, with Andrew saying: "When he is fit we will consider him. We are just letting him recover and we would be stupid to force the issue."

Also still out through injury are centre Mark Mayerhofler and flanker Cory Harris, who should be fit for the next match away to London Irish in two weeks.

The early-season policy of rotating the front row has gone, with Micky Ward and Robbie Morris established as first-choice props, and Andrew believes consistency of selection has contributed to the improved results.

"The bench is very strong and the players feel confident about what we are doing," he said. "They realise they have to play well to stay in the team because I have players hammering on my door every week asking why they are not in the side.

"We have Mike McCarthy now fully fit but not in the 22 and he's frustrated because he was arguably our best forward before Christmas.

"People like Luke Gross and Owen Finegan have really put their hands up in the last few weeks and said: 'I have a role to play in this'."

Making his 141st start for the Falcons will be winger Tom May, who was out for seven weeks after damaging ankle and knee ligaments in the Wasps game at the end of November.

"Lawrence Dallaglio fell on the inside of my leg and there was a crack, so it could have been much worse," he said.

"It was frustrating because I didn't feel part of the resurgence the team was going through. I'm strapped from the ankle to the knee, but I'm feeling good again and enjoying my rugby. I think this is the best run we have had in my eight years here."

The Falcons have appealed for some fans to turn up at 10am today to help remove covers put down in midweek as a precaution against frost, but Andrew insisted the pitch will be perfect.

Blaydon welcome back hooker Matt Hall and centre Martin Shaw to face their former club in the National Three North match against Darlington Mowden Park at Crow Trees.

Director of Rugby Nick Gandy said: "Rob Windle has played well, but Martin is important to the way we play and it's good to have him back.

"We understand the top two will go up automatically, so if we are to be one of those we can't afford to lose again. We also need Darlington to do us a favour by beating Nuneaton."

Simon Barber continues at full back as Michael Campbell is still out with a dead leg.

Leaders Nuneaton come to Darlington with only one defeat in 14 games behind them and will be a different proposition from the hosts' last two victims, the doomed pair of Kendal and New Brighton.

The league's leading try scorer, Alan Brown, will be looking to add to his tally of 16, which has stood still since he was injured in the defeat at Blaydon on December 10.

But with skipper Paul Lee back at fly half, Darlington will hope to show their visitors they have developed a more all-round game with winger Frankie Coulson's brace last week taking his try total to 11.

Middlesbrough are still without scrum half Peter Wright because of his ankle injury for the North One match at Hull.

Liam Goodall continues to deputise and Phil Adamson retains the loose head spot ahead of Chris Horton, with Andy Micklewright replacing Lee Richardson at centre in the only change.

Delighted with their first half performance against Durham City last week, West Hartlepool are unchanged for the trip to North Two East leaders Beverley.

City entertain Sheffield with skipper Jeff Roberts moving from open side to scrum half in place of Ben Stevenson. Howard Johnson switches to open side and Grant Thompson comes in at No 6, while hooker Michael Hay's return allows Mark Davison to revert to loose head.

In the continued absence of Ralph Smith, Matt Wright switches to full back with James Walker reverting to the wing, while Will Rubie returns on the other wing.

* The Durham Under 20s team to play Yorkshire at Hull Ionians tomorrow is: F Shepherd (Durham University), B Grundy (Houghall), M Wright (Durham City), J Fitzpatrick (Westoe), S Gordon (Consett), P Gillham (St John's Coll), P Tarn (Westoe), P Patterson (South Tyneside Coll), A Lambert (Durham University), A Howard (TDSOB), C Wearmouth (Durham City), C Oakley (Darlington), D Boatman (West Hartlepool), M Stockdale (Seaton Carew).