ROB Andrew has warned Newcastle Falcons to expect a physical battle when they begin their defence of the Powergen Cup against Saracens at Vicarage Road tomorrow.

After failing to make progress under three high-profile southern hemisphere coaches, Saracens have put former Sale hooker Steve Diamond in charge and Andrew said: "They will come in with only one approach - to try to beat us up.

"That's how Steve played the game and I'm sure it will be how he coaches the game. We have picked a team that can take them on with a different front row from last week and a whole front row on the bench.

"They might fancy their chances in the front five, but I rate our guys in that area."

Andrew has decided to wait until some of the heat goes out of the battle before sending on Jonny Wilkinson, who is again on the bench.

He began his comeback by going on for the second half at Edinburgh last week and Andrew said: "I have to do what I think is best for all parties. Gut feeling comes into it.

"I just feel at the moment this is the right thing to do. Jonny is back in good nick and has trained well this week, but we have to manage the squad and bringing him off the bench worked well last week."

Other than Hall Charlton starting at scrum half the backs are unchanged, but the whole front five is changed and New Zealander Cory Harris returns at open side after missing the European games because he was ineligible.

Ian Peel resumes the captaincy after recovering from his neck problem and is joined by Matt Thompson and Micky Ward in the front row, with Luke Gross and Stuart Grimes at lock. The front row men on the bench are Marius Hurter, James Isaacson and Andy Long.

It's the second time in a month that Newcastle have faced a side with a new coach following Northampton's sacking of South African Alan Solomons. Saracens have parted company with Australian Rod Kafer following the earlier failure of Francois Pienaar and Wayne Shelford.

Newcastle are seventh in the Premiership, one place and five points ahead of Saracens, who drew 20-20 at Kingston Park two months ago.

As neither club is threatening to qualify for the Heineken Cup through the league, they will see the Powergen as the best route into the top tier of European competition.

Andrew admitted as much when he said: "It's the easiest way to qualify for the Heineken, but the Powergen Cup is massive in its own right.

"If you ask those who played in last year's final how much it meant to them you'd get the same answer as from the Gosforth team who won the cup twice in a row in the late 70s. You can't put a price on their memories.

"We are trying to build a rugby foundation in the North-East and cup finals build you a special bond with your fans, so it's a hugely important trophy to us."

No 8 Phil Dowson, who came off the bench to score the winning try in the 37-33 victory against Sale in last season's final, is looking forward to facing the man who captained the Falcons that day, Hugh Vyvyan.

"Having spent a couple of seasons behind him on the bench it will be good to play against him," said the 23-year-old England Sevens player.

"I had a knee injury when they came to Kingston Park this season, so I can't wait to come up against Hugh for the first time and I'm sure it's the same for him.

"Steve Diamond will have them fired up and they will want to get their big runners like Kris Chesney and Simon Raiwalui coming at us, plus Hugh and Taine Randell round the fringes.

"So we are going to have to put a massive emphasis on our defence, but as we are top of the defensive table in the Heineken Cup we have proved we can do it."

With Colin Charvis at blind side it will be the first time Newcastle have fielded this back row trio together and Dowson added: "Cory Harris is an out-and-out open side, which is something we have missed while he has been absent.

"Colin is in fantastic form - he's playing awesome rugby. I enjoy playing in whatever back row combination takes the field, but there's no doubt the team selected for Sunday has a lot going for it."

Mathew Tait is back on the bench after his exploits with the England Sevens squad in Dubai and South Africa, and Andrew said: "He has come back with a spring in his step and a bit of a tan. It has been a fantastic experience for him and he looks electric in training."

On the subject of a replacement for Marius Hurter, who is returning to South Africa next month, Andrew said: "We have a few irons in the fire. We need to bring in someone as soon as possible.

"We see Dave Wilson as the natural successor to Marius, but his career has been set back for a year by the knee ligament injury he suffered in April. We hope he will be back in contact training next month."

Darlington are another club hoping their opponents' troubles do not inspire them to fight all the harder.

New Brighton, who visit Blackwell Meadows (3pm) for a National Three North match, are reported to have lost a couple of players since cancelling their contracts because of financial difficulties.

Darlington welcome back one of their contracted men, flanker Martin Howe, for a game they need to win to stay clear of the bottom three.

Darlington Mowden Park will not finalise their line-up until they arrive at Macclesfield, with much depending on how prop Dave Sinclair's back responds to the bus journey. With Danny Brown ruled out, they have included 18-year-old Robert Knox as cover .

There is also a big doubt about No 8 Jason Smithson, who has tonsilitis, while Paul Evans was unable to train on Thursday. Naude Pretorius will start at lock and flanker Matt Wright rejoins the squad.

Blaydon entertain Rugby Lions (2pm) and have almost a full squad to select from other than long-term absentee Pete Kilburn.

Sunderland will be aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the Powergen Intermediate Cup at the first attempt when they visit Heaton Moor today, while Gosforth entertain Crewe and Nantwich and Scarborough are away to Wirral-based Anselmians.