NEWCASTLE Falcons continue to keep faith with young props Ian Peel and Micky Ward, leaving Marius Hurter on the bench, for tomorrow's visit of Harlequins.

The 33-year-old South African is growing used to bench duties as he was among the replacements for New Zealand Barbarians against England two weeks ago and went on for only the last ten minutes of the Falcons' 23-19 home win against Northampton last Sunday.

The only change in the Newcastle team sees David Walder start at fly half in place of Jonny Wilkinson, who is hoping to be back for next Sunday's European Challenge Cup first leg at home to Montferrand.

Falcons and Quins are both on 31 points and although they lie seventh and eighth in the Zurich Premiership, they are only five points off third spot.

A place in the end-of-season play-offs is therefore very much up for grabs, especially as the Falcons do not have the toughest of run-ins.

Joe Shaw stays at full back in preference to Ben Gollings, who is on the bench, and Hall Charlton starts at scrum half ahead of James Grindal.

West Stand and terracing tickets are still available, but the car park is fully booked and those without reserved places are encouraged to use park and ride or the overflow car park at the TA training centre, Gosforth.

The ticket office will be open for 45 minutes after the match for the game against Montferrand.

Darlington Mowden Park are to have a pitch inspection at 8.30 this morning in order to give visitors Preston Grasshoppers plenty of warning if their National Three North match cannot go ahead.

There was snow on the ground yesterday with frost underneath and there are worries that even if all the snow melts the ground could be waterlogged.

Sedgefield-based referee Derek Blakey is to carry out the inspection on his way to officiating in the Wharfedale v Rugby match.

Mowden have had mixed news about three of their injured backs. Jonny Golightly is now fit after being out for over a year following a knee operation, Matt Howland is nearing full fitness after shoulder and groin problems, but another centre, Sandy Mitchell, will not play this season because of a knee injury.

Darlington have opted to have player-coach Craig Lee at full back for the match at Tynedale, with Graham Haswell reverting to centre.

Lee has deputised at fly half for his brother Paul in the last two matches, and Haswell looked the part at No 15 in the win against Blaydon two weeks ago.

A centre for most of his career, Lee was not initially keen on the full back role. But it is felt he can exercise more control there and his hat-trick at New Brighton proved he can still get involved in attack.

Winger Frankie Coulson has recovered from the leg injury which forced him off against Blaydon, and the only change sees Leigh Johnson step down to the bench to accommodate the return of Paul Lee.

Tynedale will be without their Scotland Sevens No 8 Andrew Murray and flanker Rowan Brown because of injury, while prop Richard Parker has flu.

Following the early season problems in finding regular second team fixtures, Darlington have selected four sides for today with the seconds playing for the fifth successive week at home to Westoe.

They include a New Zealander named Ian Fullwood in the back row and he is expected to push for a first team place once his registration has been cleared.

There had been talk of pooling resources with Mowden Park at second team level to ensure the fringe first team players at both clubs had some meaningful match practice. But it seems that any form of liaison between the clubs has again been suspended.

In the Darlington club's newsletter, chairman Bill Jones writes: "I know from discussions with our club members that Mowden's link-up with Newcastle Falcons is viewed with some concern.

"The Falcons connection and the consequent dual registration system do not sit easily with Darlington's philosophy of a "family club" with players coming through the ranks of mini/junior rugby and striving to achieve first team status.

"This is something which is very special and must not be jeopardised, which is the main reason why I see no reason in continuing liaison discussions at present."

West Hartlepool lock Andrew Davies is back after suspension for the home match against Redcar in North Two East.

But scrum half Dave Tighe is out with a shoulder injury and flanker Henry Tones is doubtful after playing in the 20-10 Boxing Day defeat by Hartlepool Rovers when not fully fit.

The West coaches felt some players pursued personal grudges in that match instead of sticking to the game plan, and after failing to turn early pressure into points they conceded four tries from mauls. Paul Miller, making his senior debut at centre, scored West's only try.

Stockton are to kick off at 2pm at home to bottom club Northern and are confident the game will go ahead as they have no snow.

Skipper Alan Brown returns at No 8 and Matty Oates at centre, with Graham Kell switching to full back.