NEWCASTLE Falcons are set to pitch Samoan international Earl Va'a straight into Zurich Premiership action when they visit bottom club Bristol tomorrow.

The 30-year-old fly half has arrived from New Zealand for a four-week stay to help the Falcons during skipper Jonny Wilkinson's absence on England duty.

Director of Rugby Rob Andrew will choose between Va'a and young Scot Phil Godman for a match Newcastle need to win if they are to keep plenty of daylight between themselves and the bottom club.

But he is unlikely to have flown Va'a 12,000 miles to sit on the bench, especially as he is a proven goal-kicker.

Four years ago he scored 203 points for Richmond in their final season in the Premiership, including five penalties and three conversions in a 36-35 win at West Hartlepool.

He missed the game at Newcastle, but played opposite Andrew twice that season in league and cup at Richmond.

He has recently been turning out for Wellington, where he starts a rugby development officer's job in January.

It's going to be a crucial three weeks for Newcastle without Wilkinson as next Sunday they entertain Bath, who are next to the bottom, and the following week they visit Saracens, who are also below them.

The Falcons will also be without hooker Steve Brotherstone, who would have been on Scotland duty but now looks likely to miss the rest of the season with the knee injury he suffered in last Sunday's defeat by London Irish.

He is to have an exploratory operation, but it is feared he has damaged cruciate ligaments.

Club owner Dave Thompson's son, Matt, has recovered from a calf injury and is likely to take over as first-choice hooker with Nick Makin in reserve. But Andrew will also be putting out feelers to see if any better hookers are available.

Stuart Grimes is in the Scotland team to face Romania today, so Newcastle will either switch Hugh Vyvyan from No 8 or blood academy product Andrew Springgay.

Clubs are allowed three, instead of the usual two, overseas players during the autumn internationals, so Newcastle can play Va'a as well as Marius Hurter and Epi Taione.

Darlington Mowden Park have named an unchanged pack for today's visit of National Three North leaders Nuneaton, but they are likely to bring Tony Elwine straight in at centre following his return from Spalding.

They plan to rotate their wingers, so Steve Jones goes on to the bench to allow Chris Mattison a game.

Darlington's hopes of leaping to the top of North One have been dashed by Sandal's withdrawal from today's rearranged match. For the second time in three weeks, the Wakefield club are unable to raise a side.

Darlington have fallen back on a friendly at Morpeth instead and David Andrew keeps his place as Rob Stewart is to have a scan on his knee on Monday.

Skipper Paul Lee rests his groin injury, while Phil Lancaster is unavailable and is replaced by John Coleby. Del Lewis's return sees Rob Goddard switch from back row to hooker, with Dan Osleton on the bench alongside ex-colt Simon Guy.

Wigton, who had similar problems to Sandal in North One last season, entertain Durham City in the third round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup, while unbeaten Consett visit Horden.

Both teams were in Durham and Northumberland Division One last season, but while Horden were promoted Consett went down.

Under the guidance of new player-coach Mick Kent, the former Mowden Park captain, Consett have won all seven league games to date and beaten Alnwick and Gateshead at home in the cup.

Consett recently won the £1,000 third prize in the Sports Club of the Year awards sponsored by the Foundation for Sports and Arts.

This was largely a recognition of their youth development work.

"We also won a Website of the Month award which earned us a new set of strips," said Kent. "Awards are very nice, but my job is to concentrate on the playing side and I have been very happy with the players' commitment.

"We have worked on fitness, but we also do a lot of ball work. I like to keep them on the move and we are developing the new rugby methods with some elements of Rugby League thrown in.

"We have worked a lot on defence and communication and are working better as a unit.

"Horden are always big and well-drilled, but we have a lot of good young players and it will be a good test for them."

Kent will be playing at outside centre alongside South African Jaco Lobarde, who has played for the Free State B team.

The pack includes former Scotland Under 19 player Dan Clarke, ex Durham School lock John Rowbotham, skipper Richard Armitt at No 8 and New Zealand RL international Jason Osborne.