FOUR Newcastle Falcons are among the 16 development players invited to join a 30-man England squad for training on October 9.

England Under 21 players Michael Stephenson and Jamie Noon will be joined by England A winger Liam Botham and newcomer Andy Mower.

The inclusion of Mower could spark a tug-of-war between the home nations for the services of the Sydney-born flanker.

He has English parents, a Welsh grandmother and a Scottish grandfather and has said he moved from London Irish to Newcastle to play alongside the Falcons' many Scots.

Wales coach Graham Henry has already expressed an interest in Mower and the recognition brought by his excellent start to the season will force him to think carefully about where his loyalties lie.

''I will go down and see what it is all about,'' said Mower, 25, who came to England to further his international ambitions.

''This has all come a lot quicker than I expected because I didn't really expect any representative calls until the Six Nations at the earliest.

''I am not short of advice because I have Rob Andrew, Steve Black, who worked with Graham Henry in Wales and Scotland's Doddie Weir all at Newcastle.

''I have also spoken to Graham and Ian McGeechan, so the whole thing is just so tough for me."

The development players are expected to take part in weekly Monday sessions in the build-up to England's three Autumn internationals.

With no obvious understudy for full back Matt Perry in the main squad, 20-year-old Stephenson has the chance to develop rapidly into that role.

England chief Clive Woodward's main squad includes Alex Sanderson, will not be 21 until October 7 but has already shown enough maturity for Sale to instal him as the youngest captain in the top flight.

The Chester-born player has turned in a series of superb performances.

''There had been some speculation that I would be in with a chance of selection. But I had to ignore that and just concentrate on playing for Sale and make Clive Woodward's decision as difficult as possible,'' said Sanderson, brother of former England international Pat.

''I have had a lot of support from Sale and within the England Under-21 squad, for which I am very grateful.

''Now I am looking forward to training and working with England.''

Sanderson joins Bath lock Steve Borthwick and Saracens' Ben Johnston as the three uncapped members in the party, although the latter two were part of the squad which earned a 1-1 series tie with South Africa during the summer.

The Springboks will provide England's opponents on December 2, with a fixture against Argentina following the opener against Australia.

l The Darlington clubs' contrasting fortunes with cup draws has continued with the pairings for the third round of the Tetley's Bitter Cup.

Mowden Park, who won the toss for home advantage when the sides met in last season's county cup final, will have their fourth successive home tie if they continue to make progress.

Assuming they beat West Park (St Helens) on October 7 they will meet Old Colfeians or North Walsham a fornight later.

Darlington, who had only two home matches in 12 cup ties last season, could face the trek to Plymouth Albion should they win at Wharfedale.

Old Colfeians play in London One, while Norfolk club North Walsham have risen to National Three South, alongside Plymouth Albion.

If West Hartlepool beat Longton or Hinckley in the second round they will be away to Sandal or Tynedale