NEWCASTLE Falcons' Jamie Noon will equal a Zurich Premiership record with his 46th consecutive appearance away to Leeds Tykes tomorrow.

The 24-year-old centre hasn't missed a game for over two years and will equal the mark set by former Leicester centre Pat Howard.

Noon hasn't missed a minute of those games as he has never been replaced or sin-binned.

Although he has lost his place in the England Sevens squad, Noon has the pace to frighten most defences and is also a solid tackler.

"Leeds have a very quick back line and we are glad we have Jamie in our line-up," said Falcons' forwards coach Andrew Blades in the absence of Rob Andrew.

The Director of Rugby has gone to New Zealand in search of a big signing and has taken Jonny Wilkinson with him in the hope that the world's most famous player can help to persuade the target to come to Kingston Park.

There is speculation that Fijian winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca is the man they are after, and with Andrew also on the trail of Samoan No 8 Semo Sititi the club are clearly determined to boost interest levels at Kingston Park.

Caucau, as the Fijian is generally known, provided some of the most memorable moments of the World Cup and is playing for Auckland in the Super 12 tournament.

Newcastle will be trying to avenge last month's 28-25 home defeat by Leeds, when they surrendered a 20-3 lead. It was the first time they had lost to the Tykes in the Premiership or cup.

Epi Taione is being given a further week's rest following a knee injury, while Hall Charlton has also been injured and is on the bench, with James Grindal starting at scrum half.

Former All Black Daryl Lilley also has to settle for a replacement's role as Joe Shaw continues at full back.

Craig Hamilton partners Garath Archer at lock as Stuart Grimes is on Scotland duty.

Blades said: "We have a massive month coming up. We have Leicester at home next week in front of a capacity crowd, then the Soa Otuvaka benefit match followed by the cup final."

Blades obviously has the players' respect as Grindal said: "Andy has done his usual anlaysis of Leeds, which is brilliant, and we know what we have to do.

"It's a shame Hall was injured, but this is a great chance for me. We are very good friends, but it's good to have healthy competition for places."

Dan Miller is not in the Darlington team to visit Westoe in today's Durham Cup tie, but he and Mark Butler are the only regulars not involved.

Why Miller is not playing is not clear, but it seems wise for him to take a back seat while awaiting possible further developments from Darlington Mowden Park.

Whether they take action following the facial injury to Richard Arnold, which Miller is alleged to have inflicted last week, is largely down to Arnold himself.

Dan Oselton will play at prop, while Graham Haswell returns at full back, allowing Craig Lee to revert to centre. The squad also includes young back row men James Snowball and Colin Rogers.

Mowden hope to retain Sean Tomes at lock for the rearranged National Three North match at Liverpool St Helens.

He went on for the last half hour at Darlington last week, but his availability is in doubt because he may be required for the Newcastle Development XV's match against Northampton at Alnwick on Monday night.

The Falcons are considering bringing back South African lock Mark Andrews in that match following his knee operation, so Tomes may not be required.

Mowden want him to partner Ian Robinson as Kelekolio Paino is not fit. Otherwise Jon Dye would have to stay at lock with Chris Strong coming into the depleted back row.

Mark Bedworth is injured, so Dave Richardson returns at fly half.

* Blaydon have agreed to delay their National Three North derby at Tynedale by 24 hours as the Corbridge club are to donate the proceeds to the Soa Otuvaka benefit fund. The match was scheduled for April 17, when the Falcons play Sale in the Powergen Cup final, but by playing on the Sunday the clubs hope to attract a crowd of 1,000.