NEWCASTLE Falcons are anxious to get their proud cup record back on track at Rotherham tomorrow after big disappointments in their last two ties.

They lost 38-7 to Northampton in the semi-final two years ago then bowed out at the first hurdle at home to London Irish last season.

It was a match they seemed to have in the bag, only to concede two late tries and it sparked a depressing run which put them in danger of relegation.

This time they go into the Powergen event on a high after beating bottom club Rotherham 56-10 in the Zurich Premiership last Sunday.

The Falcons have made several changes with acting captain Hugh Vyvyan returning after injury. But with skipper Mark Andrews serving the last week of his suspension, Vyvyan plays at lock with Phil Dowson staying at No 8.

Epi Taione returns at blind side with Jon Dunbar dropping down to the bench, where he is joined by Scotland lock Stuart Grimes on his return from the World Cup.

The two front row replacements are Marius Hurter, who has recovered from injury, and hooker Nick Makin, who makes way for Matt Thompson.

Forwards coach Andrew Blades, in charge during Rob Andrew's absence at the World Cup, said: "Matt has been playing well in the development team and we want him to have a chance against a Premiership side.

"Hall Charlton is back at scrum half, but James Grindal played really well last week and we are in a good position being able to choose between them.

"We were very pleased with the backs last week, but we're not taking the score as any indication of how this game will go."

The Falcons have not yet finalised their backs replacements, but Martin Shaw is in contention while younger bucks are given their chance with Darlington Mowden Park.

Mowden are at home to unbeaten Waterloo in National Three North and feel they need the extra pace to counter their visitors' strength.

They have selected three Newcastle Academy boys in centres Martyn Bray and Amarveer Ladhar, plus Stephen Jones on the wing.

Jones, a product of Ian Ramsey School, Stockton, played fly half for England Under 18s two years ago and has some bench experience in the Premiership.

Despite the desire to play a fast game, Mowden have decided to retain the steadying influence of Mark Bedworth at fly half, while Dave Richardson will play for the seconds at Durham City.

Gareth Kerr switches to the wing, Iain Dixon returns at full back, Andy Foreman drops down to the bench and Chris Mattison is resting an achilles problem.

Hooker Tasi Tuhana could be out for two weeks with a torn calf, so Chris Strong gets a chance with Ed Spackman as back-up on the bench.

With Andy Buist at lock, fellow academy product Eni Gisende is preferred at blind side to Tony Irwin, who has to settle for bench duties.

Darlington will be without skipper Paul Lee for the trip to New Brighton because of a knee injury which could sideline him for two or three weeks.

Dave Haswell takes over at fly half on his return from holiday and will be left to battle it out with Mark Butler for goal-kicking duties.

"If we had 15 players with Mark's commitment we wouldn't have a problem," said player-coach Craig Lee. "But we showed a lot of fight last week and if we keep that up we should have a chance."

Flanker Andrew Carphin is back after injury and will either be on the bench or at blind side if Rob Goddard is required to hook. Prop Paul Shepherd has a back problem, so Dan Miller might have to revert from hooker to prop.

With Simon Orr unavailable, the front row problems refuse to go away and Phil Lancaster might have to provide cover, although he is not fully fit.

Middlesbrough have Ian Bircham back at fly half for their Powergen Intermediate Cup third round tie at home to Aspatria.