A TRIP to play champions Wasps at High Wycombe is the last thing any team want if they have any doubts about the durability of their front row.

That's the worry for Newcastle Falcons tomorrow, despite coming through their home match against Bath last week with 18-year-old South Shields lad David Wilson at prop throughout the second half.

With Marius Hurter still out with his ankle injury, Wilson will again be on the bench as cover for Ian Peel and Micky Ward.

But as both had problems last week and there is some doubt about whether they are 100 per cent fit, the Falcons have registered academy boy Jonny Williams, who has been on loan at Tynedale.

It's not an ideal situation against a team who can choose between former England hooker Phil Greening and the bull-necked Trevor Leota, as well as being skippered by former All Blacks prop Craig Dowd.

Having initially opted to stay with Wasps for financial reasons rather than play in the World Cup, Leota offered to fly out this week to help the injury-hit Samoans. But they have decided to tackle South Africa without him.

After a sluggish start, Wasps have moved into top gear, winning 42-3 at Saracens last week. But as usual Newcastle boss Rob Andrew is relishing a trip to play his former club.

"We have played well there in the past and our boys have no hang-ups about going there," he said. "Wasps have started well, but like most teams they are without key players.

"We only lost 13-12 there last season after we had turned the corner and started to play well, so hopefully we can improve on that."

Scrum half Hall Charlton, who was knocked unconscious against Bath, is fit to play after the modern "cog-test" method of detecting concussion gave him the all-clear.

"Every player is tested at the start of the season and when they get a bang on the head they are tested again," said Andrew. "If they fail that test they don't play. The medical staff are happy with Hall."

Newcastle expect to start with the same team as last week, which means Epi Taione, Phil Dowson and Ben Gollings are again on the bench.

Dowson and Gollings have been named in the England Sevens squad for the IRB tournament which takes place in eight countries, starting in Dubai in early December.

Darlington Mowden Park have selected flanker Tony Irwin in the second row for their match at home to National Three North's bottom club, Longton.

It will be interesting to see if the Stoke-based visitors include open side flanker Paul Sheldon, who has been cited by Blaydon as the man responsible for the horrific eye injury suffered by James Houghton last week.

Luke Monument, who deputised for Kelekolio Paino in Mowden's second row last week, was unable to get to Thursday's training at Kingston Park so he was not considered.

Eni Gisende returns to join Richard Arnold and Tom McLaren in the back row, while Iain Dixon's hand injury sees Dave Richardson switch to full back with Mark Bedworth at fly half.

Mowden fans will be able to see the highly-rated duo of Martin Shaw and Chris Blacklock team up at centre for the first time.

After two weeks at fly half, the fact that Richardson has been switched to full back rather than Bedworth suggests there is still some indecision surrounding the best man for the No 10 spot.

After missing the trip to New Brighton, prop Ian Keeligan has made himself available for bench duties.

It has been decided that Paino's knee doesn't need a scan and he could be back for next week's tough match at Halifax.

The lack of second rows continues to be a problem at this level. Blaydon are without Houghton at home to Halifax and Darlington's top line-out man, Richard Snowball, misses the trip to Liverpool St Helens with an eye injury suffered while playing for Newcastle University.

After being lifted by their first national league win last week, Darlington have again run into problems and have been obliged to select threequarter Mark Butler at blind side flanker.

The front row problems also refuse to go away with hooker Dan Osleton going down with flu, while new prop Simon Orr has strained a calf in training and recent bench man Brian Baldwin won't play again this season because of a back problem.

Lack of props forced Darlington to cry off at Fylde two weeks ago, but player-coach Craig Lee said: "We'll have to go with what we've got because we can't risk losing another two points.

"We're still looking for players, but we haven't got any money to offer them.

"Two promising lads from Yarm School have joined us, but we can't throw them in at this level."

Dan Miller, back after injury, will hook, while John Coleby provides cover on the bench for props Joe Osleton and Paul Shepherd, and Newcastle student Liam Coyne is the replacement hooker.

David Inman makes his first appearance of the season at lock, and both he and Matt Dilworth could be competing for the troublesome No 6 slot next week if Snowball returns, as hoped.

Dilworth has been out with a broken finger, but should be fit for the home game against Preston Grasshoppers.

Middlesbrough retain Ian Bircham at fly half for the North Two East match at Redcar, but make changes up front with several players unavailable.

Mark Keruish comes into the back row for Mark Hatfield, Phil Tilson and Mark O'Halloran team up at lock, and Phil Adamson makes his first appearance of the season at loose head.