SOUTH African prop Marius Hurter will play his last game for Newcastle Falcons in Monday's Zurich Premiership match at Leeds.

The 34-year-old tight head is returning home early in the New Year to pursue a career in law, although he has lined up one final season of Super 12 rugby.

The Newcastle Supporters Club are to make a presentation to Hurter after Monday's match, in which he takes over from Micky Ward.

There are six other changes from the side which lost the Powergen Cup tie away to Saracens last Sunday, with an injury to centre Mark Mayerhofler causing concern.

The New Zealander has been back in action for only three weeks after breaking a leg in September, and he is to see a consultant about another leg injury.

His position at inside centre goes to Epi Taione, while Mathew Tait replaces hamstring victim Michael Stephenson on the left wing.

Lock Luke Gross picked up a shoulder injury at Saracens, so Andy Buist returns and Andy Long is back at hooker.

James Grindal starts at scrum half and Matt Burke returns at full back after falling ill before last week's game, forcing Joe Shaw to deputise.

* European champions Wasps last night revealed a sense of ''deep embarrassment'' over their humiliating Powergen Cup exit which has sent shockwaves through English rugby.

Wasps were booted out of the competition for fielding a cup-tied player during last Sunday's sixth round success against Bristol Shoguns.

Hooker Jonny Barrett took the field as a second-half substitute during Wasps' 40-33 triumph, but he had already featured in Henley's third round victory over Moseley as a loan player two months ago.

Under RFU regulations, that made him ineligible to represent any other club in this season's premier domestic knockout competition.

National League One leaders Bristol will take Wasps' quarter-final place, being handed an unexpected, but mouth-watering, West Country derby clash against Gloucester at Kingsholm on January 22.

''We are fully satisfied that there was nothing pre-meditated about the player being selected for the game (against Bristol), and we have accepted it as a mistake made on the part of the club,'' said RFU community and operations director Terry Burwell.

''The regulations are very clear, however, and we had no other option but to enforce them. The penalty will take effect for this season only.''

Wasps chief executive David Davies said: ''We regret the deep embarrassment this incident causes to the club, our supporters, its players, the RFU and Premier Rugby, as well as the sponsor, Powergen.

''It was with a very heavy heart that we undertook the investigation. We quickly uncovered the mistake.

''The club considered its punishment and right to appeal, and furthermore, the length of time that the appeal process would take to reach its conclusion.

''As a result, we felt it was in the interests of the public at large not to appeal against the resultant penalty. The club has admitted its mistake.''