SEVERAL players from Blaydon, Tynedale and Darlington Mowden Park are being asked to juggle club commitments with appearances for the Newcastle Falcons Development XV.

In the case of players contracted to the Falcons, such as young fly half, Joel Hodgson, the Premiership club decide when to make them available.

Others, such as Mowden backs Grant Connon and Cameron Mitchell, have to try to seize their chance to impress at the higher level while hoping to stay fit for Saturday duties.

Connon, who has Irish ancestry but previously played for Carlisle, has been turning out at fly half for Mowden but appeared at centre when the Falcons Development XV kicked off their A League programme this week.

They are playing again on Monday, against Leicester at Percy Park, and Tynedale will have to do without Hodgson for today's tough National One assignment at Blackheath.

Blaydon were promised the services of several Falcons players they haven't yet seen, including prop James Hall. He is in the Development XV and has not yet been available, forcing Micky Ward and Robbie Kalbraier to soldier on.

Kalbraier is unavailable for today's trip to Cinderford, so Rhys Quinn, a product of the club's junior system, will start and Gavin Jones comes into the second row as Sean English will be out for six weeks with a broken arm.

The other lock, Chris Wearmouth, started in the Falcons' A League defeat by Sale, along with winger Fraser Wilson and flanker David Watchorn, while centres Matt Clark and Charles Incledon were on the bench.

Clark, who went on for 20 minutes and didn't touch the ball, reverts to the wing today for Kevin McShane, with Andrew Baggett returning at centre. Matthew Mellish replaces Lewis Crosbie at scrum half.

Winger Simon Barber is back in training and back row man Keith Loughlin, who has been working in Wales, has re-signed and will be available next week.

Third-placed Westoe play host to National Two North leaders Loughborough, looking to close the five-point gap which opened up when they lost 26-15 at Huddersfield last week.

After winning only one of their last four, Westoe are out to avenge the 31-12 defeat they suffered against the students in last season's final match.

Skipper Gareth Nesbit said: "Loughborough are an institution of sport and the game will probably be an exciting one for the supporters. After last week's poor display we really want to put our season back on track. Loughborough have beaten us at home in the last two seasons and we also want to put that right."

Both Nesbit and player-coach Mark Bedworth face late fitness tests before the 2pm kick-off.

Mowden, the National Three North leaders, recall Liam Riley to the back row for the trip to Morley as skipper Junior Fagalilo picked up a minor injury last week.

As they seek to make it nine wins on the trot since losing the opening match to Chester, Mowden also recall Todd Harrison at scrum half with Max Connon reverting to full back. Andy Tonkin continues at hooker and Tom Schofield, another on the Falcons' radar, stays in the second row.

West Hartlepool have lock Tom Dixon back for the visit of struggling Altrincham Kersal, but are without flanker Jonny Boatman following a toe operation.

North One East leaders Billingham visit Morpeth without front row man Sean Wallace, who has a British Colleges Under-19 trial, Colt Callum Cranson steps up to an otherwise unchanged squad.

Second-placed Middlesbrough entertain Malton and Norton and recall Craig Chapman at tight head, with Matthew Helm dropping to the bench. After returning as a late replacement last week, skipper Richie Barker continues at lock and back row man Martin Dixon returns after illness. Michael Thornburn partners Rob Bellerby at centre and Peter Whitaker comes in on the wing for hamstring victim Josh Evans.

Durham and Northumberland One leaders Darlington entertain Horden with Michael Stowe deputising for unavailable hooker Rob Goddard. Connor Esler returns at full back, with Henry Carver reverting to fly half.

Third-placed Stockton recall 51-year-old prop Maurice Douthwaite for the derby at Acklam, who are coached by one of their former players Lee Richardson.

Front row men Mark Conway and Mark Gilchrist are unavailable, so Douthwaite and Dan Muirhead step in. Wayne Brown returns to the back row and scrum half Rob Green is fit again, so Jeremy Good switches back No 10.

Darlington Mowden Sharks centre Georgina Roberts returns to the England Women's side to take on France at the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium in Chateaurenard today. Her clubmate Tamara Taylor retains her place in the second row after playing in a 14-5 defeat by France in Wednesday's uncapped match in Marseille.