NEWCASTLE Falcons will need to be on the lookout for two old boys as they try to avenge last season's home defeat by Leeds at Kingston Park tomorrow (2.30).

Full back Tim Stimpson, who was educated near Leeds, has gone back to his roots while powerful blind side flanker Jon Dunbar will have a point to prove after the Falcons allowed him to join the Tykes at the end of last season.

Stimpson went via Durham University, West Hartlepool and Newcastle, where he was in the championship winning team in 1998, to be part of the all-conquering Leicester team for five years before spending last season with Perpignan.

His arrival has compensated for the loss of Dan Scarbrough to Saracens and he forms an exciting back three with Geordie David Rees and another former England player, Iain Balshaw.

Of the other former West Hartlepool players still at Leeds, Mike Shelley will be at prop but flanker Dan Hyde is injured. James Ponton has moved on to Sedgley Park.

In the absence of Scotland fly half Gordon Ross, Leeds will have South African Gareth Wright making his debut only a week after his arrival from Western Province.

Newcastle have lock Stuart Grimes on Scotland duty against Japan today, so 20-year-old Andy Buist comes in for his first senior start since playing against Leeds at Headingley last season.

Director of Rugby Rob Andrew said: "Andy has been one of the stars of our Development XV, which is in the middle of a great unbeaten run.

"He has an excellent chance of playing for England Under 21s this season and I had no hesitation in picking him.

"We have Mike McCarthy on the bench, who can provide cover at lock although his best position is No 6. He has started all ten games for us so far this season and it's time to give him a rest."

Semo Sititi comes in for McCarthy, while Marius Hurter is at tight head for Micky Ward and Jamie Noon returns alongside Epi Taione at the expense of Mathew Tait.

There could be a senior debut for 19-year-old scrum half Lee Dickson, who is on the bench in the absence of Hall Charlton on England duty.

Andrew said: "Lee will have no problems. He's a confident player and has been a massive influence in the Development XV. He's a really tough kid and is very sharp."

Among those watching out for Dunbar will be his fellow Newcastle Academy product Phil Dowson, who seemed to be behind his contemporary last season but at 23 has been appointed joint vice-captain with Noon. Dowson will again be at No 8 with New Zealander Cory Harris making his second appearance at open side after last week's defeat at Sale.

The Falcons were leading 22-20 at half-time against the Premiership leaders and Dowson said: "We have learnt that when you go in at half-time a few points up you have to close the game out.

"What we did wrong was to step off the gas a little and they punished us." Dowson is delighted with the faith being shown in him, saying: "I felt it was the right time in my career to take it up a level. After sitting on the bench so much I'm excited about starting games and playing in a squad that has bags of skill.

"It's a massive boost to be given time in a squad which includes two international No 8s in Colin Charvis and Semo Sititi.

"I'm enjoying every minute at the club and when you feel like that you tend to play better rugby."

Winger Michael Stephenson will be looking to equal the Premiership record held by Sale's Steve Hanley of scoring tries in six successive league games.

Injury-hit Darlington Mowden Park will be gambling on the fitness of several players for the visit of Rugby Lions today.

Props Ian Keeligan and Dave Sinclair, plus lock Ian Robinson, centre Martin Shaw and winger Andy Foreman are all in despite being less than 100 per cent fit.

Shaw's return allows Gareth Kerr to switch to the wing with Fosita Tanginoa reverting to the back row, while Matthew Brown, who kicked the winning penalty on his debut at New Brighton, will be on the bench.

Full back Iain Dixon will take over the goal-kicking this week in the absence of Mark Bedworth, who should be back for the derby at home to Darlington in a fortnight.

Darlington take an unchanged team to Tynedale, who have goal-kicker Phil Belgian back at centre following a hamstring injury.

The former West Hartlepool and Newcastle player has taken over as captain this season from lock Keith Johnson, who hasn't played since his brother Alistair's dreadful injury at Fylde on September 25. The prop dislocated two vertebrae in his neck and is still in hospital in Middlesbrough.

Tynedale have a highly-rated young fly half in Gavin Beasley, signed from Egremont, and former Gosforth full back Will Massey is National Three North's joint leading try scorer with five.

Blaydon will do well to halt their slide away to improving Bradford and Bingley. Centre Pete Kilburn returns, but winger Simon Barber is out with a back injury.

West Hartlepool have recalled controversial forward Andrew Davies to their squad for the North Two East match away to bottom club Morpeth. Davies, who can play at lock or in the back row, has completed his latest ban for abusing a touch judge at Westoe.