NEWCASTLE Falcons have opted to keep Jonny Wilkinson on the bench for tonight's Guinness Premiership opener at Sale.

They have also sprung a surprise by preferring former England Under 21 lock Geoff Parling to Scotland international Stuart Grimes, who has decided to take a season out of Test rugby.

Former Plymouth players, prop Tino Paoletti and lock Andy Perry, an ex-Royal Marine, will make their Premiership debuts, while another newcomer, winger Anthony Elliott, keeps out Mathew Tait.

Sale have chosen to ignore the ruling that England players who went on the Lions tour should have an 11-week break by including Jason Robinson and Charlie Hodgson.

But Newcastle boss Rob Andrew has reached his own agreement with the RFU and said: "We are not making any promises about when or if Jonny will come on. He has had a tough ten days after his appendix problem but we will just see how the game goes and do what is required.

"Some clubs will open themselves up to future problems or disciplinary action, but that's their decision. We won't be having any disciplinary hearings with the RFU because I've had a meeting with Andy Robinson and we are in total agreement about the best course of action for Newcastle and England."

Grimes will also be on the bench after a slight knee problem and Andrew added: "Geoff Parling has been very sharp in training and finished last season stronger than Stuart.

"Stuart was not the player we knew him to be. He felt flat after playing so much international rugby on top of club games and he has decided to take a year away from the Test scene. I am sure we will see the benefits of that."

Two more internationals on the bench are Robbie Morris, the prop signed from Northampton, and American lock Luke Gross.

By bringing in players such as Perry, Paoletti and the injured Australian, Owen Finegan, Andrew hopes to add steel to his pack.

The Falcons' matches against Sale are usually high-scoring affairs, but Andrew said: "This one may be a bit more attritional. We both know there is a need to toughen up in the forwards.

"But if the opportunities arise both teams won't be afraid to give it width and run in tries."

Newcastle: M Burke, T May, J Noon, M Mayerhofler, A Elliott, D Walder, H Charlton, I Peel, A Long, T Paoletti, A Perry, G Parling, P Dowson, C Harris, C Charvis (capt).

Two Barnard Castle School products now with the Newcastle Academy, flanker Tim Visser and full back Alex Tait, have been selected for the England Under 19s trial in Coventry this weekend, along with Newcastle RGS scrum half Tom Jokelson.

The Falcons are allowing former Barnard Castle lock Stuart Walker, who has played for Scotland Under 21s, to join a top French club while spending a year of his Durham University course in France. He is expected to link up with either Toulouse or Colomiers.

l Newcastle's match at Llanelli in the revamped Powergen Cup will be live on BBC on Sunday, October 9.

With the four Welsh clubs from the Celtic League admitted, the 16 teams involved will play in four groups. The Falcons start at home to Sale on October 2 and also play Leeds away on the weekend of December 2/3.

The National League clubs, plus other qualifiers, will contest the Powergen National Trophy, which starts with a preliminary round tomorrow, when Westoe will play Midlands One club Burton at the Gateshead International Stadium because their South Shields ground is required for cricket.

Stockton will be at home to Rochdale, who were promoted to North Two West last season.