DAVID Walder is fit; Jonny Wilkinson is not. That's the mixed news for Newcastle Falcons, who feared both their England fly halves might be ruled out of tomorrow's home match against Northampton.

Wilkinson has not recovered from the hip injury he suffered early in England's win against South Africa last week.

Newcastle would have been tempted to give him a rest in any case as the hectic programme continues with a trip to Saracens next weekend, followed by the cup tie at home to Wasps in two weeks.

As the usual precautions were taken with a neck injury, play was held up for ten minutes in the first half at Bath last Sunday before Walder was stretchered off.

But there was no serious damage and a specialist has given him the all-clear to face the Saints, who lie next to the bottom of the Premiership.

Michael Stephenson switches to full back, a position he vacated for the wing when Walder took over the No 15 shirt last season.

Inga Tuigamala returns on the wing, and with Scots Stuart Grimes and Andrew Mower back from international duty, the Falcons are selecting from strength up front.

They have decided to leave skipper Pat Lam on the bench following his 40 minutes for the Barbarians against Australia on Wednesday night.

Wilkinson has been captain in Lam's previous absences this season, and with two previous captains, Gary Armstrong and Doddie Weir, on the bench the honour this time goes to Grimes.

After a run of several games at full back, David Richardson is also among the replacements as he also provides cover at fly half.

The return of Mower at open side is a big boost as he has grown in stature with Scotland after being handed his chance because of Budge Pountney's injury.

Pountney is Northampton's captain and is still not fit to return for a club who have slipped rapidly from the peak of winning the Heineken European Cup under Lam's leadership two years ago.

They have just appointed former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith to take charge of their coaching and he will be at tomorrow's match.

Wilkinson's brother, Mark, is absent from the Darlington Mowden Park team to entertain Tynedale in National Division Three North today.

He has a calf injury and is replaced at centre by Chris Strong, while Jonny Golightly returns at fly half, with Kevan Oliphant on the bench.

Skipper Mick Kent has had flu, so Chris Mattison switches to the left wing with Steve Jones returning on the right.

Prop Ian Keeligan is again on the bench as he recovers from his hamstring injury and it is hoped Tom Long will be fit to continue at open side after playing in Durham University's win against Northumbria in midweek.

Tim Wilks is also pressing hard for a place in the back row.

In their second season at this level, Tynedale are hanging on to a place in mid-table, despite problems in the backs.

Keith Dungait, normally a scrum half, is at fly half today and Ed Holmes moves from the wing to scrum half.

Darlington have agreed to kick off at 3pm at the request of their visitors Wigton, who are bottom of North Division One.

Hooker Dan Osleton is required by the Newcastle Falcons Development XV, which solves a problem for Darlington with Rob Goddard fit again.

After scoring two tries when coming on as a replacement in the friendly against Hartlepool Rovers, Goddard returns alongside Dan Miller and Phil Lancaster, with Joe Osleton on the bench.

Winger Paul Beattie is back after a six-week absence with hamstring trouble, so Ben Usher returns to the seconds.

John Whitehouse continues at blind side, with Bryan Dixon at No 8 and Del Lewis on the bench.

lA new ten-a-side league kicks off prior to Newcastle's match against Northampton tomorrow and organisers at the University of Northumbria are looking for more teams to join.

It is planned to stage 20 minutes each way matches at the University's nearby Bullocksteads ground before all Falcons' home games.

The University has a new Rugby Development Officer in the former West Hartlepool and Mowden Park scrum half Phil Harvey, who has been out of action since last season with a shoulder injury.

"This new league is to provide that vital introduction of students into club rugby," he said. "The ten-a-side format is a new approach for maintaining levels of participation."

Middlesbrough, Blaydon and Gosforth are already involved and other interested clubs should ring the University's Senior Sport Development Officer Sue Vout on 0191 227 3884. Several matches will take place, with the kick off at noon, and clubs taking part will be eligible for special admission packages to Falcons fixtures