THREE coaches aiming to plot the downfall of former clubs today are Alan Brown, Craig Lee and Lee Richardson.

Brown takes his Hartlepool Rovers side to face Lee's unbeaten Stockton, while Richardson's Acklam will be defending an impressive home record against Darlington.

Brown and Lee have both made one appearance this season in their reluctance to call time on careers which began together at Stockton more than 20 years ago.

Both moved on to play in the top flight at West Hartlepool and they have also appeared together for Darlington, while Brown had a spell back at Stockton inbetween.

Following relegation to Durham and Northumberland tea, Rovers lost their opening match at Alnwick but are unbeaten since and have moved into third place.

Stockton are defending a 100 per cent record and hope that the players who missed the Ashington victory last week will be fit. They are flanker Mark Skiving (foot), centre Steve Thornton (hand), hooker Dan Muirhead (shoulder) and prop Simon Brown (head).

Skipper Michael Thubron returns for Rovers, along with back row man Darren Smith and hooker Jonny Cushlow. Brown has named himself among the replacements, while backs coach Steve Jones comes off the bench and switches with Ian Coulson.

In his second season as Acklam coach, Lee Richardson has persuaded his brother, David, to come out of retirement, just as he did during his Darlington tenure. But he has so far appeared only once, while Lee is recovering from a knee operation.

Acklam have lost only once at home in the last 18 months and won at Ryton last week to move into fifth place, five points behind Darlington.

Richard Snowball faces a late fitness test for the visitors, while scrum half Mark Baldwin is out for four weeks with a torn calf muscle. Centre Andy Pugh returns, allowing David Mackfall to revert to the wing.

Blaydon have named highly-rated back five forward Ben Morris on the bench for the visit of Blackheath following his appearance for Leeds Carnegie on Wednesday night.

Although he earned a Man of the Match rating playing at blind side for Blaydon two weeks ago, he was used as a lock by Leeds in their British and Irish Cup game against Doncaster.

The rules require Blaydon to re-register the Newcastle University student and as long as that is completed in time he will appear at some stage today.

With Jason Smithson back at No 8, Gavin Jones is at blind side with the other promising back row youngster, David Watchorn, returning on the bench following concussion.

With Tom Catterick unavailable, Lewis Crosbie and Andrew Baggett team up at half back and Fred Burdon returns at centre with Matt Clarke switching to the wing.

With Johnny Williams still sidelined by the head injury he suffered two weeks ago, Tynedale are without another prop, David Dickinson, for the visit of Coventry.

Back row forward Stuart Johnson is out with an ankle injury suffered in last week's 29-5 win at Macclesfield and captain Jack Harrison is doubtful with a foot problem.

Darlington Mowden Park should consolidate second place in National Three North with a sixth successive win at home to Altrincham Kersal, who are next to the bottom.

Skipper Junior Fagalilo and flanker Luke Wishnowsky are rested to give opportunities to Andrew Tonkin and Graeme Seddon, although Fagalilo will be on the bench. Andy Wilson returns at lock for Chris Campbell.

Mowden will be hoping for a favour from West Hartlepool, who are able to call on flanker Jonny Boatman for the first time this season for the visit to unbeaten leaders Chester.

North One East leaders Billingham make one change at Wheatley Hills, with Craig Tennant coming into the second row in place of the unavailable Paul Dalton.Tennant has returned to Billingham after a season with Stockton.

Second-placed Middlesbrough entertain Percy Park with Rob Bellerby and Shaun Richardson back at centre. Jack Aldus, who has returned to work locally, comes in at No 8 with Martyn Dixon switching to the flank in place of Martin Featherstone.