ANDY Foreman is back at scrum half, with his brother Gareth on the wing, for Darlington Mowden Park at Hull Ionians today.

Mowden looked to be spoilt for choice at No 9, but Rob Stewart has suffered back spasms this week, Peter Phelan has gone to play for an Irish province and Martin Lithgo is on a month's loan to Westoe.

Foreman senior was on the bench last week, along with prop Robbie Kalbraier, who made a big impact in the second half of the win against Morley and now takes over from Danny Brown, who is working.

The other change to the starting line-up sees Gareth Kerr come in for winger Lawrence Oliver, who has a heel injury.

Two newcomers on the bench are ex-Harrogate centre Martin Featherstone and 6ft 8in lock Peter Browne, who hails from Gloucester and is in the Newcastle Academy.

Also in National Three North, Tynedale are at home to Harrogate, who were relegated last season and will find out in this game whether they have any chance of bouncing straight back.

Tynedale's win at Fylde last week suggests they will be challenging for promotion again after being pipped by Blaydon last season.

Blaydon are left without a game today because National Two clubs have a blank weekend because of the England Counties XV's involvement in a festival in France.

They played Russia on Thursday and meet Spain on Monday, followed by France next Thursday.

The squad includes former Darlington skipper Richard Snowball, now with Otley, Tynedale winger Jack Smales and two Durham County players in students Dan Cooper and Alastair Simmie.

Darlington begin their North One campaign with a home match against Penrith, a team they normally play in pre-season warm-up games.

"We have performed well against them in the past, but this is a different situation," said Director of Rugby Allan Calvert.

"We have recruited players with a lot of potential but limited experience. The team will improve as the season goes on, but we need to start reasonably well to give ourselves a chance.

"There were a few positives against Westoe last week and we think we have identified the problems. We have worked hard on scrum and line-out this week because we have to secure our own ball."

Former Mowden flanker Andrew Tonkin comes in at open side, but another player who was unavailable last week, ex-Middlesbrough lock Dave Hinchley, has to settle for starting in the second team.

While Lee Richardson captains Darlington, his brother Dave skippers Boro on their return to North One. They entertain relegated Cleckheaton, with Lee Rust partnering Richardson at centre, while ex-colt Lewis Connor-Hardwick makes his senior debut on the wing with Andy Micklewright injured.

Paul Lee, 40, continues at fly half and Martin Howe continues in a back row bolstered by the return of Matt Wright after missing most of last season.

Isa Warsama and Ben Horton are at prop as Craig Chapman has joined Redcar and Chris Horton is unavailable. Ex-colt Gareth Lodge, who has played for Wharfedale and Orrell, joins Chris Webb in the second row, with last season's captain, Iain Bradford, on the bench.

In North Two East, West Hartlepool are at home to Durham City. West have recruited Rob Thorn, a full back or wing from Sandal, while Phil Wallis is back from TDSOB and Darren Thomas has returned from his travels. Tim Sawyer and Dave Tighe have taken over the coaching.

Stockton open their Durham and Northumberland division one programme on a controversial note at Gosforth as they have declined to be the first guinea pigs to play on Gosforth's new artificial pitch. The match will be played at Bullocksteads.

Stockton hope to make a better start than last season's sluggish opening, although their early fixtures appear quite challenging.

The pack is almost at full strength, although No 8 Phil Austen is still away so evergreen Ian Todd deputises. Centre Peter Armstrong is still cricketing, so Ritchie Brown moves in from the wing to partner Si Crozier, allowing Ben Ray to make his debut.

Stockton feared that the balancing act which has seen York appear in D and N One might force them to play in Yorkshire One. But they argued successfully that Redcar should be the ones to switch as they are a Yorkshire club and they start with what amounts to a derby at home to Bridlington.