A PLACE on the fringe of the Norfolk Broads is clearly in the backwaters of English rugby. But North Walsham will not be taken lightly when they visit Darlington Mowden Park in the third round of the Tetley's Bitter Cup today.

They are an unknown quantity in all respects except one - they have former Northern coach Jon Curry as their Director of Rugby.

Two years ago the former Gosforth prop had Northern on the verge of promotion to what is now National Division Three North.

But he spent a lot of money getting them there and when the bubble burst it started a downward spiral which looks likely to end in relegation this season.

Curry, who has also coached Rotherham, insists he has no money to spend on players at North Walsham, who lie second in National Three South.

"None of the players get paid anything," he said. "They are all local lads and they all play for each other. They lost a lot of players at the end of last season, but you can't just pull players in from the surrounding area because there aren't any.

"I'm just trying to build on what we have here and it's going quite well. We've lost only one of our six league games this season.

"I know Mowden Park of old and I have no doubt they will be a very good side. They will be big, fit and well-drilled and I expect a very close game."

North Walsham were making the 230-mile journey to Darlington last night, but it would seem quite a short jaunt compared with a lot of their trips.

In a league dominated by south-west clubs they are away to Plymouth Albion next week, but they have to travel even further than that to Redruth and Penzance, both over 400 miles.

Mowden will give a late fitness test to full back Kevin McCallum, and if he plays Mark Bedworth will revert to centre, with John Stewart on the bench.

With seven replacements allowed, Newcastle University prop John Hodgson is among them, as is lock Jason Malcolm, who has recovered from injury.

"We played our best rugby of the season last week against Chester," said team manager Jim Dyson. "If we repeat that we will win.

"But we expect a tough match. Teams make fewer mistakes at North Walsham's level."

Another of those who have jumped ship at Northern, Pete Steadman, could make his debut for Tynedale in their Tetley's Bitter Cup tie at home to Longton, who won at West Hartlepool in the second round.

Newcastle Falcons have recalled six internationals for tomorrow's European Shield match at Begles Bordeaux, despite the young guns running in 15 tries in last week's 99-8 win at home to Cross Keys.

Jonny Wilkinson and Gary Armstrong return at half back, John Leslie and Inga Tuigamala are restored to the three-quarters, while George Graham and Stuart Grimes resume in the pack.

After losing their opening game away to Benetton Treviso, any more defeats would almost certainly put Newcastle out of the competition and they are taking no risks.

Darlington are standing by the team which lost to Halifax for the visit of Huddersfield in North Two East. The only change could be in the back row, where John Whitehouse could start on the bench instead of Del Lewis. Prop Dan Miller returns to the bench after injury.

West Hartlepool have postponed today's National Division Two match at Harrogate because five injuries have left them with only two fit front row players available.

Coach John Staber said: "Harrogate have been very understanding and we are in contact with the league about rearranging the game. Front row is such a specialist position it is dangerous to field inexperienced players there and league rules say you must have an experienced front row man on the bench.