NEWCASTLE Falcons are gambling on restoring Epi Taione to the back row for tomorrow's visit of fellow Zurich Premiership strugglers Bath.

Both teams are on 14 points, four ahead of Bristol, and after losing to the bottom two clubs in the last two weeks the Falcons simply cannot afford an unwanted hat-trick.

With Richard Arnold out with Achilles tendon trouble, Rob Devonshire will be at open side with Jon Dunbar at No 8 and Taione on the blind side.

That's where the big Tongan started the season after making quite a success of his switch from the wing last year, but his inability to hang on to the ball prompted a rethink.

He returned after injury on the wing, but Newcastle feel they need his power up front against Bath, which is where they will look to win the game as they are again without the play-making skills of Jonny Wilkinson.

Samoan international fly half Earl Va'a has recovered from the calf strain which forced him off after 36 minutes of the defeat at Bristol last Sunday.

The Falcons conceded 31 points in the first half against the bottom club, and Rob Andrew will demand much greater commitment for tomorrow's crucial test.

Joe Shaw, the 22-year-old winger or full back signed from Northampton, returns after missing the last six games with a knee injury.

With Stuart Grimes on Scotland duty, Newcastle began with Gateshead-born Andy Springgay at lock last week but moved Hugh Vyvyan up from No 8 after half-time.

Vyvyan captains the side from lock tomorrow and Springgay, a 21-year-old academy product, is on the bench, along with hooker Matt Thompson, who was injured against Bristol.

Nick Makin will start, but Andrew is casting around for another hooker, especially with Steve Brotherstone out for the season.

Mike Catt returned after injury for Bath last week in their 24-18 home win against Sale, and they can also call on another recent England player in the backs in Matt Perry.

Up front they include former West Hartlepool and Newcastle prop David Barnes and are well served in the second row by Steve Borthwick and Dan Lyle.

Darlington Mowden Park hope Anthony Elwine will be available to join the squad for today's National Three North match at Waterloo.

After slipping to third bottom place they had another session with Falcons' coach Steve Bates on Thursday night and are determined to end a run of five defeats.

But the news of skipper Aaron Redaelli was not good yesterday. After breaking two bones in a hand during training it is now feared be could be out for a further six weeks.

Darlington are also without two key players through injury for the visit of Aspatria, who are only one point behind them in North One.

Scrum half Rob Stewart is still out with his knee problem and flanker Martin Howe has a neck injury, so David Andrew and Matt Dilworth deputise.

They also have Rob Goddard on the bench to provide cover for both hooker and back row.

With three of the four teams above them all at home, and Macclesfield at West Hartlepool, Darlington are unlikely to climb the table.

But they will hope for another boost to their points difference against a team who lost 20-18 at West Hartlepool the week before Darlington beat them 48-0.

West will have lock Andrew Davies available in an unchanged team against Macclesfield, despite being sent off for the second successive week at Darlington. His disciplinary hearing was postponed on Thursday night.

* Horden, who visit bottom club Goole in North Two East today, have been drawn at home to Winnington Park, who play in North Two West, in the fourth round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup on November 30. Percy Park will be away to Hull, who lie third in North Two East.

In the Junior Vase, Seaton Carew have been drawn away to Novos.

* Three Natal referees have arrived in Durham on an exchange visit and will be in action today. Ferro van Greunen officiates in the Westoe v Sheffield match, Rodney Sheldon takes charge of Sunderland v Consett and Hennie van der Berg will referee Jarrovians v South Tyneside College.

Tomorrow they will watch Durham University seconds play Durham County Under 20s, and on Thursday they will be at the Durham Primary Schools Tag Rugby Festival at Maiden Castle, Durham.