TOMORROW's (Saturday's) friendly at Rudolph Straeuli's Bedford Blues marks the homecoming of one of Saracens' brightest young forward prospects.

Hooker Matt Cairns enjoyed a steady rise to prominence during his first spell at Vicarage Road. After joining the Saracens Academy as a 17-year-old, which he dovetailed with studying at Brunel University, he went on to make 65 appearances in six seasons for the Men in Black.

In that time the 25-year-old Birkenhead-born forward also represented England at Under-19, Under-21, Sevens and Students level, but, at the end of the 2002/03 season, the doubt that shrouded the future of Sarries' then head coach Wayne Shelford, and the consequent instability of the club, decided him on a move north, to join up with Steve Diamond at Sale Sharks.

"Last time I was at Sarries I was unsure who was going to be coaching," reflected Cairns this week in the build up to his first game back in Black. "Buck Shelford was still there, and they weren't sure if he was going to be there the following year.

"They hadn't appointed Kafes yet, and Sale came in with an offer and obviously I knew Jim Mallinder and Steve Diamond's reputation so I thought I would go up there and give it a go.

"The same thing happened when I came back here - Dimes came down and I decided to follow."

After fostering a close working relationship with Diamond himself formerly a hooker Cairns decided to rejoin his mentor after he made the move south at the beginning of March, hastening the release of Scotland's antipodean hooker Robbie Russell who was stalling over signing a new deal at Vicarage Road.

Buoyed by the overwhelming feeling of optimism that has pervaded the club this summer, following an influx of new stars, Cairns can't wait to get back into match action - starting with Bedford at Goldington Road tomorrow.

"I can't wait to get out there," he said, "but obviously it's more important that the game goes well for the team. We are looking forward to getting one more game under our belt before the season starts.

"Obviously there are still one or two things to work on it is definitely coming together slowly but surely as it will do with a new squad of players."

Sarries' head coach Rod Kafer was thrilled to supplement his front row resources with an English player on the border of the national side, who will provide Raphael Ibanez the Frenchman who should feature at some point during tomorrow's (Saturday's) match at Bedford as he continues his recuperation from a spur on his foot with direct competition for the hooker berth rather than an understudy.

"We are delighted to have him back," said Kafer, after securing the return of the 25-year-old front-rower. "He had a very good season for Sale Sharks and is a very exciting prospect. He's another player to join us who has England 'A' experience and is on the fringe of international honours."

The hunger to oust Steve Thompson from the number two shirt in the national side is also driving Cairns. "I'm not in the England Elite squad at the moment, but I went on tour (with the Churchill Cup squad) in the summer, and there is no reason why I can't make it into the England squad."

He is also in no doubt that Clive Woodward is most likely to take note if the Men in Black are on-song in the Zurich Premiership.

"If I am playing well for Sarries, and Sarries are doing well and one of the top teams then I have definitely got a chance," he said.

"The Heineken Cup is our main target. It is nice to win medals and trophies, but we have to get this club back into Europe. That is where the revenue is and that is what is important."