IT'S Powergen Cup day tomorrow in rugby's senior, intermediate and junior levels, but the region's four National Three North sides are all drawn away from home.

The toughest trip is for Darlington, who return to Rugby Lions, where they lost their opening league game against a side who were in division one two years ago.

Blaydon go to Blackburn, Tynedale to Hull and Darlington Mowden Park await news of prop Danny Brown's availability before selecting their side to visit Cleckheaton.

Darlington are already looking to bring back more experienced players after starting the season with three 19-year-old newcomers in the side. "They have all come with good pedigrees and want to play at this level," said coach Craig Lee. "They look good in training but they have to learn to apply themselves on the pitch and take their opportunity when it arises."

Lee sees a consultant today following his knee operation and hopes to be given the all-clear to start training, while Mark Butler trained on Tuesday night after deciding he doesn't want to retire after all.

Another powerful threequarter, Tosh McIntee, could be available this week after paternity leave.

Darlington are hoping Army lock Paul Radford will soon be playing again after missing last season, while another Catterick-based forward, Fijian Jonah Naga, is pressing for back row place.

In the Intermediate Cup Middlesbrough are at home to Old Crossleyans, who are two levels below them, but coach John Moore insists they will be taking nothing for granted after last week's excellent win at Sheffield.

"No game is easy," he said. "We keep working week by week and making certain that what we are doing fits in with the strategy of where we are going.

"Nearly all the team are Middlesbrough lads, including prop Isa Warsama who is coming in this week, and they are keen to play well for each other.

"The whole team played well last week. They showed good commitment and could easily have scored 70 points because we missed four tries. There's still a lot to work on, but it's nice when it all comes together."

Moore's son, Simon, is on the bench tomorrow because of a shoulder problem and is replaced at full back by ex-colt Neil Baggott, whose elder brother Andrew went from Boro to Wharfedale.

Another of last year's colts, Richard Metcalfe, comes in at centre, while Mark Hatfield replaces unavailable captain Gavin Fingland in the back row and Warsama deputises for Scott Watson.

Other ties include Consett v Acklam, Durham City v Billingham, Hartlepool Rovers v Ponteland and Westoe v Hartlepool.

In the Powergen Junior Vase Richmond are at home to Guisborough, who have won two of the three previous meetings between the clubs in the competition.