NEWCASTLE Falcons have left out internationals Jamie Noon and Colin Charvis for Sunday's home match against Northampton as they look ahead to next Friday's European Challenge Cup quarter-final.

With a mid-table finish looking likely in the Guinness Premiership, the European event has become the priority and the visit of Irish province Connacht, followed by a home semi-final, offers a clear route to the final.

Noon has not been given the all-clear following the bang on the head which forced him out of the England v Ireland match last Saturday, but the Falcons expect him to play on Friday.

His centre partner Mathew Tait is also still missing as the England Sevens silver medal winners have stopped off in Bali on the way back from the Commonwealth Games.

Newcastle's forwards coach Peter Walton said: "It's disappointing that Mathew is scuba diving or whatever in Bali. He will be back in our side after the Connacht game and to have him and Jamie together will give us a pretty formidable partnership."

The Falcons still feel able to leave Mark Mayerhofler on the bench on Sunday, with Toby Flood coming in at inside centre to partner Tom May, while Ollie Phillips retains his place on the wing.

Andy Buist stays at No 8, with Walton explaining the absence of skipper Charvis by saying: "We have learnt that players coming back from internationals take a while to get back to their best with their clubs.

"They are used to different calls, the Tests are draining and they just don't settle straightaway. We have told Jamie and Colin to rest and I am sure they will be back firing on all cylinders for what is a massive game against Connacht.

"I have no qualms about playing Andy Buist at No 8 because he has stepped up and played really well there. I have always known he is an exceptional player because I have been with him through the academy process. He also gives us another line-out option."

Buist's conversion from lock to No 8 has meant that Jason Smithson has been surplus to requirements since the turn of the year.

But after being put on contract following the early season neck injury suffered by Phil Dowson, the Falcons declined to allow him to re-register for Darlington Mowden Park before the late February deadline.

He has continued to help coach the Mowden forwards, who will be boosted by the return of Eni Gisende for tomorrow's visit of National Three North promotion hopefuls Nuneaton.

Luke Monument also returns to the squad, but Danny Brown is injured and winger Michael Breen has left to join his parents in Australia for six months. Matt Barker will come in for Breen and Tim Visser will start at inside centre.

Darlington hope to be at full-strength for the trip to Cleckheaton other than the continued absence of prop Dan Miller and utility back Apenai Kororua, who is to be posted to Iraq.

Miller is back in training and could feature before the end of the season, which will now drag on into May after Darlington were left without a game for the last three weeks.

The fact that their rearranged home game against Bradford and Bingley clashes with the first County Championship matches on May 6 makes it even less likely that any Darlington players will be available for Durham.

* The England Under 18s squad for the Home Unions tournament to be played at four Gloucestershire grounds on April 15-21 includes three players attached to Newcastle Falcons. They are Barnard Castle School full back Alex Tait, Hartlepool Sixth Form College flanker Aaron Myers and Keswick School fly half Robert Miller. Richmond School prop Callum Clarke is also included.

A separate squad will be named for the European Championships in Italy.