STEVE Bates is tipping Jamie Noon to make an instant impact when he returns to Newcastle Falcons’ starting lineup in this afternoon’s European Challenge Cup game at Overmach Parma.

Noon has spent the last four weeks on international duty, missing Newcastle’s Premiership defeats to London Irish, Worcester and Wasps.

The centre was unable to prevent England slipping to heavy defeats at the hands of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, but his return to domestic duty should boost a Falcons side that are currently third in their Challenge Cup pool.

And with Tongan Tane Tu’ipulotu due to link up with Noon for the first time this afternoon, Bates is expecting a much-improved showing from the Newcastle midfield.

“I thought Tane was very influential in the game last Friday,” said the Falcons director of rugby. “We saw a few touches of what he is capable of.

“He is settling down now and making much more of a verbal contribution in the team meetings and games, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he and Jamie link up as a partnership.

“After a month away with England, Jamie is absolutely raring to go. He wants to get straight back out there and I believe it is a midfield pairing capable of causing some problems.”

Noon’s return sees Tom May revert to the wing, while flanker Adam Balding returns from injury to replace Ed Williamson and Tim Swinson takes over from Geoff Parling in the second row.

Newcastle will also field a new-look half-back pairing, with Hall Charlton and Rob Miller coming in for James Grindal and Rory Clegg respectively.

“Rory has done a great job, but we have to remember that he is only 18 and he needs some considerable looking after in terms of his workload,”

said Bates.

“Had Rob been fit for more of this season, then he and Rory would have shared the burden much more equally, and this week with England Under-20s being away in Portugal gives Rory the ideal chance to have a bit of a break and continue his development with guys his own age.

“The England age group stuff is important for Rory’s career in the long term, and it would be unfair to ask him to play every single game for us.

Fortunately, we have another highly talented player in Rob Miller to slot in.”

Having lost to Brive in their second game of this season’s Challenge Cup, Newcastle could do with claiming maximum points from their double- header with Parma.

The Italian side currently top Pool Four, and while the Italian domestic league is hardly the strongest on the continent, Parma’s position of third in the table demands respect.

FALCONS: Jones, Williams, Noon, Tu’ipulotu, May, Miller, Charlton; Golding, Thompson, D Wilson, Swinson, Sorenson, Balding, B Wilson, Dowson.

Replacements: Vickers, Ward, Perry, Browne, Rudd, Grindal, Davey.