THE Welsh Connection in the Newcastle Falcons side have warned their team-mates they will have to rise to a massive challenge in tomorrow's Powergen Cup tie at Llanelli.

Skipper Colin Charvis, who spent nine seasons with Swansea, knows exactly what to expect, as does fellow back row man Cory Harris, who has played for Pontypridd, Bridgend and Celtic Warriors.

In fact, the New Zealander qualified for Wales on residency grounds, but headed for Newcastle after the Warriors were disbanded. Two of his team-mates there, Daffyd James and Matthew Rees, are now in the Llanelli side for a match televised on BBC 2.

"During my time in Wales there was great rivalry with English teams and they will always get themselves up for these games," said Harris.

Charvis agreed, saying: "I have told the team the Welsh media are really building this up. It's Wales v England with Wales 3-1 up from last weekend.

"Stradey Park is a difficult environment to play in, but if everybody rises to the occasion we should be in for a cracking game."

The Falcons can take heart from the fact that they won a Heineken Cup game at Newport last season, and Director of Rugby Rob Andrew sees this as the key game in the group after both sides won their opening matches last weekend.

"This is a knockout game," he said. "I believe the winners will go into the semi-finals. Llanelli's last game is at home to Sale, who seem to have given up on the competition, and we have to go to Leeds.

"Llanelli are a very good side indeed. They play with a lot of pace and width. The way they played at Leeds was very impressive and we are looking forward to the challenge."

Andrew has decided to start with Toby Flood at fly half again, keeping Jonny Wilkinson on the bench after his impressive 25-minute outing last week.

But Jamie Noon has been left out because of a slight knee injury after training with England all week, so Mathew Tait switches to outside centre.

That allows Tom May to return on the wing after scoring a hat-trick in the Development XV's 60-20 win against Leeds on Monday.

"Tom has responded extremely well to being left out of the first team," said Andrew. "We said he had one or two things to go away and think about and he has shown a fantastic attitude in getting his head down and doing just that. We always knew he would come back because he's a very good player.

"Dave Walder has to keep knocking on the door like Tom has, and during the season there will be plenty of opportunities for him."

One change in the pack sees 30-year-old Australian prop Grant Anderson, recently signed from Edinburgh, making his debut at loose head in place of David Wilson.

"Grant has played well in his two Development XV games, and has looked good in training, said Andrew. "But we will use all three of our front row replacements - that area is very much a squad game these days."

Llanelli include British Lions scrum half Dwayne Peel and are captained by another Lion in back row man Simon Easterby, the Yorkshire-raised Ireland international. He has one of his former Leeds teammates, Alix Popham, alongside him.

All four North-East teams in National Three North have a good chance of victory today.

Darlington can consolidate a top six place by winning at home to New Brighton, the team they knocked out of the Powergen National Trophy last week.

After their cup win at Nuneaton, Tynedale will be confident of beating anybody at home and can soften up mid-table Macclesfield ahead of Darlington's cup visit to the Cheshire club next week.

Fifth-placed Blaydon entertain promoted Leicester Lions, who are just above them, while Darlington Mowden Park visit struggling Cleckheaton.

Durham City introduce Oxford Blue Will Rubie for their North Two East match at home to Percy Park. He replaces Chris Mattison on the wing, while Richard Stanley is on the other wing with James Walker switching to full back.

Nick Howe returns at centre after injury, Ben Stevenson comes in at scrum half and in the forwards Paul Price and Howard Johnson replace injured duo Chris Wearmouth and Grant Thompson.

Tim Sawyer has joined West Hartlepool's lengthy injury list, so Dan Boatman comes into the back row alongside his brother Jonny for the trip to Stockton.

Dave Garside, a lock forward who is the son of the former boxer of the same name, comes into the squad for the first time and will start on the bench.

West's backs are unchanged, and fly half David Tighe will captain the side against his former club.