WHILE most eyes will be on a backline featuring Jonny Wilkinson, Liam Botham, Inga Tuigamala and John Leslie, the real test of Newcastle Falcons' mettle this season will lie in the back row.

Other than having home advantage, they could hardly face a tougher start to the Zurich Premiership against European champions Northampton tomorrow and English champions Leicester next Sunday.

The single most influential player Newcastle have lost since they won the title in their first season in the top flight was Pat Lam, and his presence in Northampton's back row will highlight any home deficiencies in that area.

A neck injury has forced Peter Walton to retire, and the Falcons have also lost Steve O'Neill, who has returned to Blaydon.

The loss of two such powerful blind side flankers could upset the balance of a back row in which Ross Beattie should hold down the No 8 spot following his tour of New Zealand with Scotland.

With new captain Doddie Weir partnered by fellow international Scott Grimes at lock, Hugh Vyvyan will be a strong contender for the No 6 slot, but it goes tomorrow to new signing Andrew Mower, from London Irish.

Another newcomer, Ross Cook, who hails from North Berwick, is selected on the wing with Botham partnering Leslie at centre in the absence of Tom May and Jamie Noon.

May and full back Michael Stephenson are suspended after being sent off during England Under 21s' tour of New Zealand

Noon and hooker Ross Nesdale were both concussed in a friendly against Leeds on Monday and will be out for three weeks. But Gary Armstrong, who suffered a cracked cheekbone in the same match, is expected to play.

Mike Howe, the New Zealander signed last season, will deputise for Nesdale, while Northampton include French lock Olivier Brouzet, signed to replace former Newcastle player Richard Metcalfe, who has joined Edinburgh Reivers.

Newcastle: P Massey, V Tuigamala, L Botham, J Leslie, R Cook, J Wilkinson, G Armstrong, G Graham, M Howe, M Hurter, D Weir (capt), S Grimes, A Mower, R Arnoold, R Beattie.

l THERE will be three players with North-East connections in the Rotherham team for their first match in the Premiership at home to Bristol tomorrow.

Former Newcastle winger Jim Naylor will be joined by ex-West Hartlepool forwards Chris Murphy and Russell Earnshaw.

Murphy, the 6ft 7in lock who had ambitions to play for England during his time with West, has moved from Sale, while Teessider Earnshaw has given up his attempt to command a place in Bath's back row.

There is no place in the Bristol team for ex-West Hartlepool goal-kicker Steve Vile, despite the retirement of Henry Honiball. Dean Ryan, now head coach, has preferred Wales Under 21 fly half Gareth Bowen and has also selected ex-West flanker Matt Salter.

With his former Newcastle team-mate Garath Archer suspended, Ryan will play in the second row.

Centre Martin Shaw, released by Newcastle at the end of last season, is one of six newcomers in the Sale side for their opening match at home to Bath.

But with Matt Moore and Steve Hanley on the wings there is no place for Yarm School product Anthony Elliott, who has joined from West.

Bath have signed ex-West prop David Barnes from Harlequins