ROB Andrew has swung the axe after what he called an abysmal display last Sunday as Newcastle Falcons prepare for tonight's European Challenge Cup quarter-final at home to Connacht.

The return of internationals Colin Charvis and Jamie Noon was expected, but most of the nine changes reflect Andrew's disgust with the surrender against Northampton.

"I was disappointed with the application of what we had done in training and what we had talked about," said the Director of Rugby.

"Once we got into a bit of bother we didn't seem to show any fight whatsoever and that is obviously unacceptable.

"The abysmal display will be used as motivation because nobody wants to feel as bad as they did after that final whistle. They know they have to show better application in what is a huge game for us."

After rotating his front row early in the season, Andrew seemed to have settled on a first-choice trio. But now Robbie Morris and Andy Long have been relegated to the bench with Micky Ward switching to tight head to accommodate young Jonny Williams, while Matt Thompson comes in to hook.

Lock Andy Perry is replaced by Luke Gross and the whole back row changes with Charvis, Cory Harris and Mike McCarthy coming in for Andy Buist, Ben Woods and Owen Finegan.

The half backs are also axed with Hall Charlton and Toby Flood taking over, meaning that after sitting on the England bench two weeks ago Dave Walder must do the same for Newcastle.

Noon is partnered by Mark Mayerhofler at centre, with Tom May reverting to the wing at the expense of Ollie Phillips.

"A few heads have been banged together and changes had to be made," said Andrew. "We have selected a strong, physical side, which we feel will be able to make an impact."

The defeat by Northampton saw the Falcons slide from mid-table to third bottom of the Guinness Premiership, and although they remain 11 points ahead of Leeds with four games left Andrew remains concerned about relegation.

"Our home form is a major concern and the five games we have lost at Kingston Park have shaped our league position," he said.

"We are right back in the relegation scrap now and that needs to be addressed sharply. A win against Connacht would get some momentum going for a big end-of-season push."

One more win should see Newcastle safe in the Premiership, but they will certainly not want to leave it until their final match at home to Leeds on May 6.

Although the Challenge Cup is only the second tier European event, it is the Falcons' only chance of silverware this season and they also see it as a route back into the Heineken Cup.

If they win tonight they will be at home to London Irish or Bayonne in the semi-final on the weekend of April 22 and are keen for the fans to get behind them.

"The fans have been fantastic and have shown incredible patience," said Andrew. "We owe it to them to give them something to shout about."

Connacht do not have the big names of the other Irish provinces, but their lock and captain Andrew Farley is well known to Charvis.

"We played together at Swansea," said the Falcons' skipper. "Any team with him in it is not going to roll over. He is a hard player and will have them pumped up."

l Darlington have no worries about their pitch for tomorrow's big match in National Three North against Blaydon.

Drainage problems forced them to postpone the visit of Bradford and Bingley two weeks ago and the ground has had another soaking since.

But player-coach Craig Lee said: "The groundsman was able to do some work on it last week and it should be fine."

Darlington's only doubt after last week's 48-24 win at Cleckheaton is goal-kicking full back Lee Davies, who was unable to train on Tuesday because of a dead leg.

l Stockton have moved swiftly to revamp their coaching set-up following relegation to Durham and Northumberland One.

The new head coach is Peter Armstrong, who coached the colts for 20 years until his sons, Tom and Peter, graduated to the first team.

He will be helped by former first team coach John Still, ex-captain Warren Douglas, Kevin Keay and Carl Hall.