Wilkinson fit to spur Falcons into cup final

At least the calf muscle he damaged during England's defeat by France last week is not in his kicking leg and has been able to practise with his usual diligence during the last two days.

He still faces a fitness test before the kick-off, which is at 5pm to enable both matches to be shown live on Sky, creating an unfortunate clash with Newcastle United's FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal at 5.35. on BBC 1.

Three years ago both Newcastle clubs contested cup finals in London on the same weekend, the Falcons losing 29-19 to Wasps.

But they were back at Twickenham last year, beating Harlequins in the final, and there is a possibility of a repeat with Quins facing London Irish today.

The formbook, however, suggests neither of them will make it, with Northampton having already beaten Newcastle at Kingston Park this season.

After a poor start, that was the beginning of their revival under Australian coach Wayne Smith, but he has given the Falcons hope through his shock selections in the front row.

That was one area where Northampton might have been expected to dominate through Scotland props Matt Stewart and Tom Smith, plus England hooker Steve Thompson.

But Smith and Thompson have been relegated to the bench, apparently as scapegoats for what the coach described as the poorest game he had been associated with when they lost at Leicester two weeks ago.

The youngsters who take over, Robbie Morris and Dan Richmond, are relatively unknown, although Newcastle skipper Pat Lam will have some idea of their capabilities.

In fact, the Falcons will be leaning heavily on Lam's knowledge of the club he led to a Heineken European Cup triumph during his three years in the Midlands.

Lam, who has never lost a semi-final, desperately wants to win the Powergen Cup to complete the full set before he retires at the end of the season.

He has been linked with a role as academy coach with the new Scottish Borders side, while a Super 12 club are also said to be interested.

"I will make a decision at the end of the season," he said. "The best possible way to sign off would be by winning the cup.

"The final takes care of itself - the semi is the hardest game but I'm really looking forward to going back to Northampton. We have played better away from home this season, which is a big plus in our favour. We have trained well this week and everyone is up for it."

His old back row colleagues Budge Pountney and Grant Seeley are in today's line-up, along with familiar faces in the backs such as Matt Dawson, Paul Grayson, John Leslie, Ben Cohen and Nick Beal.

The Falcons' biggest fitness doubt remains full back Dave Walder, which is another reason why they need to press Wilkinson into service.

The England fly half suffered his injury early in the game against France, but was not withdrawn until ten minutes from time.

He didn't quite go from hero to zero after his scintillating performance against Ireland, but he was clearly targeted by the French and his injury didn't help.

"Jonny is fine," said Newastle's Director of Rugby Rob Andrew. "But we won't make a final decision until just before the game.

"David Walder was ready to come back for the Bristol game two weeks ago, but he had a setback in training on the Thursday and again may not be quite ready.

"We have not got a particularly good record at Northampton - it's a very difficult place to play. But we have never taken a strong side there because it has usually been in the middle of the Six Nations Championship."

Wilkinson has never played at Franklins Gardens as he has always been injured or rested, and the Falcons have not won there since their title-winning season in 1998.

Newcastle will be without hooker Steve Brotherstone under the terms of his loan from Northampton, so club owner's son Matt Thompson is likely to start, with Nick Makin providing back-up.

Darlington Mowden Park introduce a new centre in Durham University's Oliver Phillips for the visit of Nuneaton, who are only three points behind them with three games in hand in National Three North.

Phillips has played for Harlequins' Development XV and it is hoped his pace and handling skills will provide some variety alongside Mick Kent, with Chris Strong again on the bench.

Lock Richard Mangles is also among the replacements and it is planned to send him on for more than the ten minutes he got last week.

Prop James Isaacson starts in place of Ian Keeligan in the only other change, with back row man Tom Long ruled out by an injury picked up in Durham University's midweek defeat by Brunel.

With Dave Mitchell continuing to bring in fresh ideas to keep the team sharp over the last six weeks of the season, Mowden are hopeful they will not need to look any further for a forwards coach.

Scrum half Phil Harvey's comeback has been stalled by his commitments with Northumbria University. He is not available for the Durham Cup tie at Blaydon in two weeks, but Mowden hope to give him a game after that.

Centre Mark Butler is unavailable for Darlington's North Division One match at Sheffield, while winger Marc Potts has a groin injury.

Simon White and Tony Taylor deputise, with Ian Dobson providing cover on the bench despite the fact that the seconds have a county cup semi-final at home to Durham University.