RORY Duff makes his first appearance of the season for Darlington Mowden Park at Rosslyn Park, who have lost only once and lie second in National One.

The ex-Middlesbrough back row man left towards the end of last season to spend six months in Australia and gets his chance at No 8 because Guy van den Dries is unavailable.

Competition for this place is about to hot up with Talite Vaioleti making his comeback after a shoulder operation in the second team against Horden.

He will be joined by ex-Rugby League man Ben Gledhill in his first appearance for the club, plus Grant Connon and Mark Ireland, also returning after injury.

Connon's brother, Max, has dislocated a shoulder, leaving Mowden short of scrum halves following Zylon McGaffin's decision to return to South Africa.

It was thought he would be going back to Rotherham after his month's loan but he had slipped below former Blaydon player Andy Davies in the Championship club's pecking order.

"He wasn't enjoying it at Rotherham and was going to come back to us, but has decided to do a post-graduate course back home," said Mowden coach John Newton. " It was too good an opportunity to turn down.

"Max's injury leaves us short and Adam Nixon will play at Rosslyn Park.

We'll be looking to bring someone in next week.

"It will be another tough London test. They are a big, well-structured side with a lot of experienced men who have played at a higher level and now have jobs in the city."

It was intended to rest hooker Matt Thompson, but his replacement, Charlie Maddison, strained a hamstring in training and will have a fitness test this morning. A third hooker, Tom Larder, is on the bench.

Jack Allcock returns at open side with Callum Mackenzie reverting to the wing in place of Joe Nellany.

Blaydon have changed their back three for the visit of bottom club Macclesfield, who might initially tremble at the name of Kibirige on the wing.

But it is not Zach, who caused havoc at this level last season. The Newcastle Falcons flier is still troubled by a knee problem and his elder brother, Adam, is promoted from Blaydon seconds with both Tom Jeffery and Joe Heslop injured.

Hugo Mongan, who was injured against Fylde several weeks ago, is on the other wing and Phil Stewart returns at full back with Tom Catterick again unavailable.

The Falcons have an Under 23 match tomorrow and have selected Blaydon scrum half James Christie, so Rhodri Adamson returns after starting the season as first choice.

Flanker Harry Bate has suffered his third shoulder injury of the season, so Andrew Archibald starts in the back row and Andrew Foster comes in at prop with Trevor Davison dropping to the bench.

Tynedale will hope to stem their slide down the table by gaining something from their trip to Blackheath. Both teams have conceded 50 points to Mowden Park recently.

Billingham, seventh in National Three North, entertain Huddersfield YMCA, who are two places below them, while struggling Westoe are at home to fourth-placed Rossendale.

Ex-Falcons lock Andy Perry could return for Westoe after injury, along with scrum half Matt Mellish and centre James Clark. But prop Rhodri Evans has snapped an Achilles tendon.

West Hartlepool have recalled veteran Andy Foreman at centre for the North One East match at Percy Park, with Scott Butcher switching to the wing.

Jay Corbett comes into the second row for Luke Chapman against a side pushing for promotion. Back row man James Ponton, who played for West in their Premiership days, is in the Percy Park squad.

Middlesbrough have Michael Thornburn back on the wing and James Wardle at blind side for the Yorkshire One match at Yarnbury.

After narrowly losing their last away game at Selby this is one they need to win if they are to stay in touch with the leaders.