NEWCASTLE'S European Shield semi-final against Harlequins will be held at Headingley on April 22.

While the Falcons had hoped to stage the match at Kingston Park after being first out of the hat, European officials have decreed it will be held in Leeds.

The original ruling stated that each semi-final would be staged at a neutral venue in the country of the "home" team. But Falcons' chief Rob Andrew claimed to have struck a deal with Quins' chief executive Mark Evans that if they were paired together the match would be hosted by the home team.

Quins have been in no hurry to ratify this since the draw was made in Dublin ten days ago, but in any case it was felt European officials would insist on a neutral venue with a bigger capacity than Kingston Park.

Falcons have sold their 7,000 ticket allocation for next Saturday's Tetley's Bitter Cup final against Quins at Twickenham, but it is doubtful whether the Headingley trip will prove such an attraction.

Only 2,269 turned up for the quarter-final against Mont de Marsan at Kingston Park, and Quins fans are unlikely to flock to Leeds in their hundreds.

Newcastle skipper Doddie Weir hopes to be fit for Twickenham next week after pulling out of the Scotland A game against Wales last night with a rib injury.

He suffered the damage against Bath last Sunday and decided that leading his club side in the cup final was more important for an ex-British Lion than playing in an A international.

l Darlington have five of their hosts' former players in their 19-man squad for today's Durham Cup quarter-final at Stockton.

Brothers Craig and Paul Lee are joined by flankers Bryan Dixon and Martin Howe plus centre Simon White, who faces a late fitness test. Another ex-Stockton man, winger Paul Beattie, is still ruled out.

With Mark Turnbull again unavailable, lock Richard Snowball faces the prospect of two games in two days as he is playing for Yorkshire Under 20s tomorrow.

But Darlington have added Sandy Fitzpatrick to their squad as second row cover, while player-coach Phil Lancaster returns.

l Three Durham players are in the England Under 18 Clubs squad for the Home International series to be played in Wales in April, using Newport, Neath and Cardiff Arms Park.

Darlington's Dan Osleton, Stockton's Stephan Jones and Westoe's Kevin Wilson are among the 11 players selected who helped the North win the national festival at Castlecroft, Wolverhampton. They also won the RFU Fair Play Award.

Six players from Yorkshire clubs are in the England squad, including York's Matthew Stockdale.

l Scotland lock Richard Metcalfe believes that the plaudits dished out to him and Scott Murray by Welsh coach Graham Henry deserve to be shared among the whole of the Scottish pack.

British Lions coach Henry rates Scottish line-out aces Murray and Metcalfe as ''the world's best'' on opposition throw-ins.

But the Edinburgh Reivers player credits tactical awareness among the forwards for the distinctive style that has seen them receive rave reviews.

''Scott Murray has a lot to do with it and we get drilled very well all week,'' said Metcalfe.

''The team just want to play together. As individuals, we have a lot of good things going for us, but we are a team.

''Scott is a very good jumper and I'm there to do certain things, but the credit goes to all the forwards because we drill each other all week trying to get things right.

''That is why it has been successful and hopefully we can continue that success.''

The two will be in action at Murrayfield this afternoon