NEWCASTLE Falcons' Director of Rugby Rob Andrew will be keeping an anxious eye on his front row in tomorrow's Zurich Premiership match at home to Wasps.

Although both teams are without their current internationals, Wasps can still boast a front row who have played at the highest level in New Zealander Craig Dowd, hooker Phil Greening and Will Green.

As Andrew continues his search for a replacement for tight head Marius Hurter, there are concerns that the Falcons' tight forwards lack the muscle to compete with the more physical sides.

They were out-scrummaged in last Friday's defeat at Saracens and know they need to improve in this area if they are to have any chance in their Heineken Cup quarter-final away to Stade Francais.

In the absence of his joint captain Jonny Wilkinson, loose head Ian Peel has to shoulder the extra responsibility of leadership, while his Wallsend-born colleague Micky Ward is still a relative novice compared with the likes of Dowd.

Matt Thompson, who is only 22 but weighs in at 18st 10lb, starts at hooker in place of Andy Long, who is more than 2st lighter.

While there is little doubt that he would like to sign a couple of big, mean bruisers, Andrew is always loath to admit that his men have been overpowered and preferred to blame disrupted training for last week's showing.

"It was a strange week," he said. "The international players were away at the start of the week, so we really only had one proper session together.

"With it being a Friday night game away from home everything was a bit off, and if you go into a Premiership game even ten per cent off you get hammered.

"This time we have had a proper week's training with the players who will take the field. The week's rest we had a couple of weeks ago is now beginning to kick in."

With Stuart Grimes on international duty and Andy Buist out for the season, it will be a big chance for 6ft 8in lock Craig Hamilton to make up for a disappointing season, which has seen him lose his place in the Scotland squad after earning rave reviews on last summer's tour.

Samoan captain Semo Sititi also has something to prove as he is given a start at No 6 in place of Mike McCarthy, who has proved the better signing and will play a part from the bench.

With Lawrence Dallaglio at No 8, Wasps' strength up front is underlined by having flanker Jonny O'Connor, a surprise omission from the Irish squad, on the bench, along with former England lock Simon Shaw.

Lock Martin Purdy will make his first appearance of the season after a shoulder injury, while Greening returns after a knee problem.

The Falcons have allowed Academy hooker Stuart Mackie, who will be 20 next week, to register with Darlington Mowden Park and he will be on the bench for today's home game against New Brighton (2pm).

He has played for England at schools, under 18 and under 19 levels, and will take over at some stage from Tasi Tuhana, who is leaving Mowden at the end of the season to return to New Zealand.

Prop Ian Keeligan has passed a fitness test, but Matt Holmes failed his so Paul Evans continues at No 8 with Ian Robinson switching to blind side to accommodate Luke Monument at lock. Fosita Tanginoa drops to the bench.

Hopes that Gareth Kerr could be considered after a three-week absence were dashed when he broke down in training.

Darlington will be out to show hosts Cleckheaton that there is more to their game than the driving maul, which destroyed the West Yorkshire club on their visit to Blackwell Meadows.

After his confidence-boosting display last week, Darlington want David Glendenning to show more of his attacking ability from full back.

"He's very strong," said player-coach Craig Lee. "I don't think anyone in the league comes into the line as well as he does and it also worked well last week with David Kell on the wing."

With winger David Grand unavailable, Blaydon visit Tynedale with Andy Khan back in the starting line-up after recovering from injury.

With former first team regulars such as Nick Gandy, Chris Nunn and Charlie Roe in the seconds, Blaydon have plenty of depth, but Tynedale continue to be ravaged by injuries. Skipper Phil Belgian is out again after a quiet comeback at Darlington, where flanker Jason Wright also joined the casualties.

Middlesbrough visit North One high-fliers Hull Ionians with Chris Paleschi at lock as Ian Bradford switches to No 8 for the unavailable Richard McRae.

Martin Featherstone returns at centre alongside Neil Baggett, with Andy Micklewright reverting to the wing.

West Hartlepool captain Tim Sawyer is playing for England Deaf against Wales at Pontypridd, so Paul Rudd switches to the back row for the trip to North Two East leaders Westoe.

Carl Miller takes Rudd's place at lock and Jonny Boatman moves to No 8. Winger Paul Miller returns after a knee operation.