NEWCASTLE Falcons face what looks likely to be the biggest test of their season when they visit Bedford today.

Like their visitors, the Midlanders were unbeaten in the Championship until they lost at Bristol last week, leaving them seven points behind the Falcons in second place.

After sweeping aside the physical challenge of Rotherham last week, Newcastle expect to have to counter a much more expansive game, although free-scoring Bedford will be without Ollie Dodge. The son of former England centre Paul Dodge was injured at Bristol.

Newcastle scrum-half Rory Lawson and prop Grant Shiells have been training with Scotland this week after being named in the squad for the Autumn internationals, starting with next week's visit of New Zealand.

The Scots also have a match against Tonga, who have named the Falcons'

Suka Hufanga in their squad and will play against a Newcastle XV at Kingston Park on Tuesday, November 13.

Shiells, 23, who also qualifies for England through his grandparents, was due to make his Scotland A debut against England Saxons last season before being forced to pull out through injury.

Following the 33-0 win against Rotherham, Lawson said: "We are getting better and better every week, and Graham Steadman as our defence coach is getting his points across. But we will have a different challenge at Bedford with the way they play. They have scored a lot of points this season."

Ryan Shortland returns to the wing after two months out with hamstring trouble, while Mark Wilson replaces skipper Will Welch, who has a back injury. Richard Mayhew switches to open side with Sean Tomes coming into the second-row for Carlo del Fava.

The Falcons have switched the dual registration of Academy scrum half Jonathan Burn from Tynedale to Blaydon, for whom he will make his debut at Sedgley Park today.

The Alnwick product was not getting any game time at Tynedale, despite their struggles, and Blaydon have a scrum half problem with Andy Davies suffering a double dislocation of the leg while Hall Charlton is away.

His wife organised a birthday trip for him to New York, where they arrived just before the floods. He is expected back next week.

Four more Falcons youngsters are included in full back Nathan Bailey, winger Zach Kibirige, prop James Hallam and flanker Jamie Hamilton. No 8 Jason Smithson will be out for at least two more weeks with a broken hand.

Tynedale will be seeking their first win for five game at home to fellow strugglers Loughborough Students, while Westoe hope for a third successive win at home to Stockport in National Two North. Centre James Clark returns after an ankle injury.

Darlington Mowden Park have recalled last year's Barnard Castle School captain, Guy Van Den Dries, for the visit of Otley.

He began the season at No 8 but is named alongside Chris Campbell in the second row as Andy Wilson is injured and Henry Forbes drops to the bench.

Prop Dan Miller is recalled to the starting line-up and Danny Dixon is at No 8 as Will McCauley is rested because of a slight knee problem.

Relegated Otley began the season strongly but have lost their last three games against top sides. They will include ex-Blaydon player-coach Tom Rock at centre.

West Hartlepool skipper Danny Boatman is unavailable for the National Three North trip to Penrith after getting married yesterday, so Nathan Myers starts in the back row. Peter Youll and Steve Jones are on the wings, Ryan Painter replaces unavailable full back David Heckles, and Andrew Davies returns at lock.

Billingham player-coach Anth Hyndman has named himself on the bench for the visit of Sandal after sitting out the last month with a knee problem. The starting line-up is unchanged as Billingham defend their

100 per cent home record.

In North One East struggling Durham City expect to be able to entertain Cleckheaton after pulling out of last week's trip to Morley because they couldn't raise a front row following several injuries. The match has been re-scheduled for next Saturday.

Although Simon O'Farrell returns at fly half, Middlesbrough remain severely depleted for the trip to Old Crossleyans. James Baker makes his senior debut at loose head, with Adam Johnson hooking, while Matty John and James Wardle join Richie Barker in the back row.

Stockton visit Blyth and make one change from the side which demolished Sunderland last Saturday. Winger Dan Phinn is unavailable so speedy Teesside University student Andy Pearce comes in for his debut.

Newcastle's Sarah Hunter has been named as captain of the England Women's team to take on France at Esher tomorrow. Darlington Mowden Park's Ruth Laybourn will start on the wing, with club-mate and regular skipper Katy McLean rested ahead of the series against New Zealand.