TWO centres returning to their roots today are Fred Burdon with Blaydon and Shaun Richardson at Middlesbrough.

Burdon, who played with Blaydon's junior sides while at Newcastle RGS, is a Cambridge Blue who played for England Under-16s.

He recently trained with Gloucester, who wanted him on stand-by in case James Simpson-Daniel was summoned to join the World Cup squad.

Burdon is joined in the team to entertain National One leaders Macclesfield by a more recent RGS product, 18-year-old flanker David Watchorn.

He takes over at open side from Robbie Bell, who has a thumb injury, while Matt Clarke moves to the wing to accommodate Burdon. Andrew Baggett switches to fly half, with Niall Roark dropping to the bench.

Richardson, who has played for several clubs as a scrum half, has gone back to his original club, Middlesbrough, knowing that he is unlikely to oust Peter Wright from the No 9 shirt. But he has been selected to partner vice-captain Ross Bellerby at centre in the home match against Morpeth.

The visitors have won their opening two games in North One East and will test a Boro side who are anxious to bounce back from last week's defeat at Billingham.

Adrian Rose comes in at fly-half with Callum Campbell switching to full-back for Simon Moore. The forwards are unchanged.

Westoe, top of National Two North, travel to Herefordshire to face another unbeaten side, Luctonians.

Player-coach Mark Bedworth is again absent with a back injury and skipper Gareth Nesbit also misses the trip because of an elbow problem. David Haswell will captain a side bolstered by the arrival of back row man Ben Frankland from Tynedale.

West Hartlepool venture into unknown territory when they face Burnage on the banks of the Mersey. The Stockport club gained promotion to National Three North last season through a last-ditch try in the play-off at Percy Park. They play on an artificial pitch and have won both their games this season.

West's Tom Dixon is away for two weeks so Gareth Eddy takes his place alongside Andrew Davies in the second row.

Jon Norris comes in at prop as Anth Carr has been working away and has to be content with a place on the bench after being unable to train.

Darlington Mowden Park entertain Bradford and Bingley, both clubs having lost at home to title favourites Chester.

With Dan Miller unavailable, Danny Dixon joins skipper Junior Fagalilo and Ralph Appleby in the front row. Andy Wilson returns at lock for Neil Young.

Northumbria University student Chris McTurk, who has played for Scotland Under-20s, makes his debut on the wing, while Cameron Mitchell switches to outside centre, with Paul Shepherd moving to full back.

Billingham visit Team Northumbria, who are expected to have several players back from holidays after losing their opening games.

Flanker Dave Robinson is doubtful for Billingham, so Phil Reay could move up from the second team.

Durham and Northumberland One leaders Darlington will be without several players at home to Ryton because of Richard Snowball's wedding.

Third-placed Stockton host another unbeaten side, Horden, and bring in experienced prop Simon Brown for Lewis Dodgson, while Craig Slaughter replaces Shaun McLaren on the wing.