NEWCASTLE Falcons go into the first of three successive games against the teams above them in the Zurich Premiership when they visit Harlequins today.

After winning their first three games, Quins were toppled from top spot when they lost 39-33 last week at Saracens, who won 25-20 on the opening day at Kingston Park. But after having two points deducted for sending on an ineligible replacement against Newcastle, Saracens find themselves three points adrift of the fourth-placed Falcons.

Rob Andrew's men earned a full hand of five points for their impressive 42-22 win at home to Gloucester last week and the Director of Rugby has named an unchanged team for the third successive game.

Next week the Falcons visit Northampton, who are one point ahead of them, then on October 25 they will play leaders Bath in a rare Saturday match at Kingston Park, which is to be televised by Sky. "This is a massive month for us," said Andrew. "If we win all four games we will be top of the table."

That might sound like wishful thinking, but Andrew was delighted with last Sunday's performance and believes a repeat will be good enough to beat Quins.

"We haven't done well there for a couple of years, but that's going to change. At a push Dave Walder and Epi Taione could have been fit to play, but we don't need to push them.

"The way the other guys are playing at the moment they are going to take some shifting."

Phil Godman continues to deputise for dead leg victim Walder at fly half, with full back Ben Gollings proving a very capable goal-kicker, while Jon Dunbar stays at blind side.

Walder and Taione are expected to make their comebacks in the second team match at Rotherham on Monday night. Winger Tom May has been passed fit, despite the blow on the head which clouded his memory of the three tries he scored against Gloucester.

Darlington hope to secure their first point in National Division Three North when they entertain Dudley Kingswinford, who have also lost their first two games.

Joe Osleton is back from playing in New Zealand and makes his first appearance of the season alongside Dan Miller and Rob Goddard in the front row. Experienced duo Phil Lancaster and Brian Baldwin provide cover on the bench. The other replacements are Dave Haswell, who has recovered from injury, and former blind side regular Phil Mott.

With Andrew Carphin ruled out by a shoulder injury, Mott could come on if Richard Snowball's switch from lock to back row does not work out. Richie Taylor is partnering Tom Wilkinson in the second row. Ben Snook will make his first senior start on the wing.

Newcastle duo Richard Arnold and Martin Shaw make their Darlington Mowden Park debuts at Fylde, while front row men Dave Sinclair and Tasi Tuhana have declared themselves fit.

Both were expected to be out for three weeks after the derby game a fortnight ago, but Tuhana took the strapping off his knee in training on Thursday in his determination to keep his place ahead of Danny Brown. Arnold will play at No 8 with Tom McLaren switching to blind side at the expense of Jon Dye, who is on the bench with Brown, Chris Strong and Richard Holbrough. Shaw partners Dave Richardson at centre.

Leaders Blaydon are unchanged for the trip to Liverpool St Helens, although there is a slight doubt about Matt Deharty. His place in the centre could go to Andy Khan, who has recovered from injury, while former Oxford University winger Will Rubie is added to the squad. He also played for the Combined Universities against Australia and showed his class with a first half hat-trick for the second team last week.