NEWCASTLE Falcons will decide today whether Jonny Wilkinson has any chance of playing a part in tomorrow's second and final match on their ten-day trip to Japan.

The Falcons beat Japanese champions NEC Green Rockets 73-6 in front of a crowd of 10,000 on Saturday, and face Toyota Verblitz in Nagoya tomorrow.

Wilkinson has been in hospital with an inflamed appendix, but Director of Rugby Rob Andrew said: "He's doing well and feels a lot better. No-one is more frustrated about this than he is, but we will have to see he progresses before deciding if he can play on Tuesday."

Dave Walder played at fly half on Saturday in Wilkinson's absence and had a 100 per cent kicking record, converting all ten tries and adding a drop goal.

Among those who starred in the 30 degrees C heat were new winger Anthony Elliott, a Yarm School product who has played for West Hartlepool, Sale and Rotherham, and centre Mark Mayerhofler, who missed much of last season with a broken leg.

England Under 21 scrum half Lee Dickson went off the bench to score one of the tries, and his former Barnard Castle School teammate Mathew Tait also touched down.

New skipper Colin Charvis said: "The performance has got us off on the front foot as we look ahead to a long and demanding season.

"There were a number of outstanding performances and we are very happy with the way we put them away after leading only 17-3 at half-time.

"NEC had a fair amount of ball and played some good rugby, but our defence was very good."

l The Durham Cup final, held over from last season, between Darlington and Westoe, is to be played at Durham City on Wednesday (7.30).

l England forward Martin Corry insists the domestic game does not have too much to learn from Graham Henry's all-conquering All Blacks. Corry, captain in the RBS 6 Nations Championship believes the country's top clubs should have the courage of their own convictions rather than scouring the wreckage of Lions' tour for clues.

And despite the recent appointment of Australian Pat Howard as head coach of his club Leicester Tigers, Corry is adamant any rush for all things Antipodean is not necessarily the best way forward.

He said: ''If you start copying sides and saying this is what New Zealand do, then you are always going to be playing catch-up.

''From a club's point of view there are things we can learn but you have to be innovative yourself.

''Just because they speak with an Antipodean accent doesn't mean they are going to be a great rugby coach. There are some excellent coaches in this country and some excellent coaches overseas - it is not about the nationality it is about the personality.''

However Corry did admit he was enjoying working with Howard and hailed the influence of some overseas coaches - including All Blacks chief and former Wales coach Graham Henry.

Corrie added: ''Pat came over here and even when he was a player he changed the way we were looking at ourselves. ''We are taking a huge amount from these guys and if you look at what Graham Henry and Steve Hansen did for Wales, what we are seeing the fruits of their labour.'