Darlington stages two big rugby matches today, when Mowden Park open their National Three North campaign against Tynedale, while their neighbours at Blackwell Meadows face West Park St Helens in the preliminary round of the Powergen Cup.

Mowden have had a big influx of new players, including two Tongans who were recommended by Newcastle's Epi Taione, and both will play in the back row alongside Darren McKinnon today.

Flanker Paino Kelekolio played in the Commonwealth Games sevens, while No 8 Kivahanoa Faleovalu stands 6ft 7in and can also play at centre.

Switching him into the backs may well become an option as New Zealander Aaron Redaelli will be available soon and Tony Irwin should be fit in four weeks.

Also adding to the glut of back row talent is former skipper John Hutchinson, who has returned from coaching Barnard Castle, and former Durham Under 20s player Jon Dye.

Dye is one of five who have joined from Blaydon along with coaches Rod McClure and Keith Lupton, who formerly looked after the Blaydon Development XV. Yarm School teacher Stuart Whitehead, the former West Hartlepool hooker, has also joined the coaching set-up, while Dave Mitchell continues to be heavily involved.

The recruits from Blaydon include backs Jonny Golightly, Iain Dixon and James Tyrell. Although he is currently out with a foot injury the powerful Tyrell, a Cheshire county player, is seen as an adequate replacement for Mick Kent, who has gone to coach Consett.

Jonathan Wrigley has returned from Middlesbrough to challenge Teesside student Richard Holbrough for the scrum half berth, and Phil Harvey is also training, although his involvement could be restricted by his new role as Teesside's Rugby Development Officer.

Matt Howland is back, but will be out for two weeks with a dislocated shoulder, so Durham University's Jonathan Wilson is at centre today alongside Scott Thompson, who has recovered from the horrendous arm injury he suffered two years ago.

Mowden field two new locks in Chris Webb from West Hartlepool and Ian Robinson from Middlesbrough, and West prop Michael Cook has also joined. He is on the bench, along with Chris Strong, who has taken up hooking after playing at centre last season.

Lock Steve Sanderson has retired, although he may play a few games for Houghton, while Jonny Marston and Richard Woollam have returned to Northern and flanker Tim Wilks is away in Australia.

Mowden: M Bedworth, C Mattison, S Thompson, J Wilson, S Jones, K Oliphant, R Holbrough, D Sinclair, M Hall, D Brown, C Webb, I Robinson, P Kelekolio, D McKinnon, K Faleovalu.

Tynedale, who pipped Mowden for fifth place last season, have signed former Newcastle Falcons flanker Jimmy Cartmell.

Darlington have a new skipper in Paul Lee as David Glendenning has gone to Gateshead as player/coach working alongside Jock Farrell.

Former Newcastle Falcons Development player Paul Heslop is the new full back, while the only other newcomer in today's line-up is ex-West Hartlepool and Northern flanker Matt Dilworth.

Dilworth will take over at No 6 from Bryan Dixon, who is on holiday.

A Fijian international centre who has just started basic training at Catterick will be available soon.

Prop Dan Miller returns to Bath University on Monday and the Bath club are interested in having him in their Development XV, while Wakefield and Harrogate have also been on his trail.

David Andrew, who broke his arm in the equivalent match last season and didn't play again, is on the bench today.

"David was injured in the first five minutes and we lost that match at Winnington Park partly because we didn't have any cover for him," said player-coach Phil Lancaster.

"We now have Rob Stewart at scrum half. Captaining the county has brought him on and he's contributing a lot.

"Finding pre-season opposition has been a problem, but we had a good work-out with Middlesbrough and we are better prepared than last season.

"We should have a psychological advantage because West Park have never beaten us, although they have always been close games."

If they win today Darlington will be at home to West Hartlepool in the next round next Saturday after West beat Westoe 15-0 in the pre-qualifier.

Darlington: P Heslop, F Coulson, M Butler, C Lee, P Beattie, P Lee, R Stewart, D Miller, R Goddard, P Lancaster, R Snowball, P Radford, M Dilworth, M Howe, D Lewis.

Ian Todd has returned from Darlington to Stockton, who also have full back Simon Moore and centre Graham Kell back after spells working away from the area.

Prop Craig Chapman has signed for Otley, but the rest of the squad remains intact with Alan Brown continuing to coach as they begin with a home friendly against Hartlepool Rovers, who have lock Mark Power back from Darlington.

Apart from the exodus to Mowden, Blaydon have lost lock Jason Oakes to Otley and full back Gareth King has gone back to Wales.

But among their recruits are fly half Jason Davies, the leading points scorer in Wales last season, Western Province centre Rocky Manuel, and 6ft 5in 20st lock John Griffiths.

* The Durham president this season will be Durham Schools Union secretary Brian Watt, of Hartlepool Rovers. The senior vice-president is Keith Wallace (Wearside).