KIERAN BROOKES has warned his Newcastle Falcons team-mates to beware an England onslaught when they host Bath tomorrow.

Brookes was part of the England squad for the Six Nations, and his time with the national set-up brought him into close contact with Bath backline duo Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph.

The pair, who were two of England’s strongest performers this spring, have both been named in the Bath side that will line-up at Kingston Park.

And with Falcons’ players still licking their wounds in the wake of last weekend’s thumping 48-13 European Challenge Cup defeat at Exeter, Brookes admits it could be another long night if Bath’s creative fulcrums are given the opportunity to attack.

“Anthony and Jonathan feed on counter-attack ball – if you give them space, they will take it,” said the tight-head prop. “Bath have got a good mobile pack, a strong set-piece and backs with pace and skill. We have to have our heads screwed on and play the best we can to stand a chance of winning.”

Brookes’ involvement with England has also enabled him to train with rugby league convert Sam Burgess, whose high-profile switch from the Australian NRL to Bath has not quite gone as planned.

Burgess has taken time to adapt to the 15-man code, and tomorrow’s game will see him line up in the forwards for the first time after his previous club appearances came in the centres.

“He is a massive name in rugby league and there is a lot of pressure on him to perform,” said Brookes. “Over time, I am sure he will, and he has been working on his game in England training. He is a really nice guy, down to earth, and it will be good to see how he develops.”

Falcons make four changes for tomorrow’s game, with Rory Clegg replacing Tom Catterick at fly-half and Simon Hammersley coming in for Alex Tait at full-back.

Skipper Will Welch is unavailable because of a back injury, with Chris York stepping up to the starting XV, and Dom Barrow edges out Calum Green in the second row.

Newcastle Falcons: Hammersley, Harris, Powell, Socino, Sinoti, Clegg, Tipuna; Vickers, Lawson, Brookes, Green, Thompson, R Mayhew, M Wilson, York.

Replacements: McGuigan, Fry, Orlandi, Furno, Robinson, Takulua, Catterick, Tiesi.