NEWCASTLE Falcons' new hooker Steve Brotherstone will again be looking over his shoulder at a Thompson when he makes his debut at Leeds tomorrow.

Brotherstone, who has played seven times for Scotland, found himself playing second fiddle at Northampton to England's new hooker Steve Thompson.

Now he will have Mark Thompson, son of the Falcons' owner Dave Thompson, as his understudy on the bench at Leeds.

That means there's no place in the squad for Billy Balshen, who was given a tough time by bull-necked Wasps hooker Trevor Leota when the Falcons lost their last Premiership match two weeks ago.

The struggles in the front row in that game emphasised the need to bring in more beef and at 17st 5lb it is hoped that Brotherstone will provide the answer.

He has joined on loan until the end of the season, but wants to make it a permanent deal as he used to watch the Falcons on Sundays after playing for Melrose the previous day.

He also sees the move as an opportunity to impress the Scotland selectors after losing his place last season, when a knee injury forced him out of the match against France.

In fact, it ruled him out for the rest of the season and it was then that Steve Thompson began to make an impact at Northampton.

Brotherstone, a former teammate of Doddie Weir's at Melrose, also had a season with French club Brive in 1999.

He will not be able to play in the Powergen Cup semi-final at Northampton on March 10, but he is not cup-tied and could play in the final if Newcastle got through.

With a tough run coming up, the Falcons need to repeat last month's 41-24 cup win at Leeds and they have Liam Botham back in the squad after injury.

Leeds introduce new signing Japie Mulder at centre, with fellow South African Braam Van Straaten switching to fly-half in place of Steve Bachop.

Mike Shelley returns at prop after a knee operation, but there is no place for his former West Hartlepool teammate Jon Benson, with Dan Scarborough named at full-back.

If Brotherstone does sign long-term for Newcastle one hooker could be off-loaded, which might interest Darlington Mowden Park following the loss of Tasi Tuhana to Blaydon.

Part of the New Zealander's problem with Mowden was that they were keen to reclaim the house they have provided for him near the entrance to the ground. He was due to vacate it yesterday.

Tuhana has helped to coach the forwards in Dave Mitchell's absence, but he has been with the club for four years and there was a feeling it was time for a change.

He follows utility back Jonny Golightly to National Division Three North rivals Blaydon, where he has signed until April with a view to staying on next season.

While Golightly will start at centre, Tuhana is on the bench but will definitely replace Paul Ritson at some stage in today's home match against Dudley Kingswinford.

As a result of having their rateable value reviewed Blaydon received a £40,000 refund, although most of that has gone to pay off creditors.

There has been other cost-cutting and they believe they are on a healthy enough financial footing to assemble a squad capable of challenging for promotion next year.

They will have to do without prop Derek Dixon for six weeks because of injury, but skipper Dave Guthrie and lock Jason Oakes return after missing the defeat at lowly Whitchurch.

Mowden have selected Danny Brown at hooker for the visit of third-placed Liverpool St Helens and have drafted in two Durham University students.

Tom Long will play at No 8 in a reshuffled back row as Tony Irwin is to have a scan on the ankle which has troubled him all season.

Stuart Keelan comes in at full-back for Kevin McCallum, who is believed to be the latest player to become unsettled.

He might also become a Blaydon target as the Tynesiders are uncertain whether Gareth King will be with them next season.

Skipper Mick Kent returns at centre, with Chris Strong dropping down to the bench.

Darlington's captain, David Glendenning, misses the North Division One match at home to Middlesbrough through injury and is replaced by Mark Butler.

Ian Todd retains his place at open side with Martin Howe on the bench alongside Joe Osleton and Ian Dobson.

Darlington have chosen not to stand down scrum-half Rob Stewart pending his hearing into last week's dismissal against Macclesfield.

They felt it was a harsh decision and are hoping for leniency.

After kicking off at 2.30 last week, Darlington are reverting to 2.15 until the end of the month, as laid down under the new guidelines.

But some clubs will be hoping to kick off early next week in order to watch the England v Ireland game.

* Durham School lock Geoff Parling is in the England Under 19 team to play Ireland at Broadstreet, Coventry, next Friday. Middlesbrough's Steve Jones, who is also with the Newcastle Academy, will be at full back