NORTH Walsham's pre-season preparations having progressed well to date will take another step forward with a training game against Bedford Blues at Scottow on Saturday (3pm).

NORTH Walsham's pre-season preparations having progressed well to date will take another step forward with a training game against Bedford Blues at Scottow on Saturday (3pm).

The Division One outfit, having planned a three-day training camp for their squad, contacted Walsham during the summer break requesting the fixture.

It is planned for the game to be played in three 20-minute sessions allowing both sets of coaches to make changes and assess various combinations.

There are likely to be some familiar faces in the Blues' squad as their player roster currently includes flankers Ben Pienaar and recent recruit Mike Howard and among their backs James Knight who has just moved up from their academy.

The Walsham squad is still under consideration but supporters can expect some new faces as well as familiar ones from last season, and possibly some returnees to the Scottow fold.

Added interest will come with the first time use of new laws.

A large number of the ELVs (experimental law variations), have been trialled in the southern hemisphere Super 14s but only five or six will apply in the home nations.

The Walsham players and coaches were recently given an explanation of the

new laws by World Cup referee Wayne Barnes - but Saturday will be the first time they have encountered them in a

match situation.