THE spotlight will be on the full backs when Newcastle Falcons visit Sale today.

David Walder will be opposed by Jason Robinson, who starred on the wing for the British Lions but is preferred at No 15 by Sale.

Walder, the match-winner in last season's Tetley's Cup final, repeated the feat with his late try against Leicester last week.

Two more academy products, Hall Charlton and Rob Devonshire, join the Falcons' squad two days after the RFU announced £250,000 a year support for an initial three years for Rob Andrew's youth set-up.

The Newcastle Academy is the first of five to receive the backing, to be followed by those at Leicester, Leeds, Northampton and Wasps.

Sport England will fund the scheme with lottery money and the move should help Newcastle's chances of getting their ambitious development plans for Kingston Park through a public inquiry next month.

Newcastle will be without flanker Andy Mower, a member of the Scotland squad, for four weeks and winger Epi Taione has also suffered ligament damage and will be out for up to two months.

Richard Arnold is likely to take over from Mower at open side, although the Falcons are not naming a side until this morning. Devonshire is the other option, although he is usually a No 6.

In National Division Three North, Blaydon hand a debut to former England Schools fly half James Lofthouse, who will play at centre in the home match against Liverpool St Helens.

They also introduce a new fly half in New Zealander Sam Howe, from the Bay of Plenty, while Gareth King reverts to his usual position of full back.

The game marks the 50th anniversary of the first match at Crow Trees, when Blaydon lost 25-8 to Tynedale and five members of that team are coming to a reunion lunch for 80 people today.

Among them are 92-year-old Taff Jones, who lives in Dunston, and club secretary George March, who was then a 17-year-old winger.

Blaydon have already noticed the increased professionalism at this level and Liverpool have been on the phone twice this week to check what type of ball is being used.

Former Durham County lock Scott Davidson is drafted into the Blaydon side as Dave Falconer has an eye infection and Jason Oakes has only just returned from RAF duties in Northern Ireland.

West Hartlepool are at home to Morley, who beat Blaydon by one point last week.

West have two local lads making their debuts in flanker Paul Rudd and winger Gareth Kerr, taking over from Henry Tomes and Mark Thompson.

Darlington Mowden Park entertain Sandal, who conceded 70 points last week to Doncaster, who are generally regarded as the team to beat. Player-coach Dave Mitchell, who made an excellent comeback last week after a year's absence, is unavailable.

Ian James switches from lock to replace Mitchell, allowing Jonny Marston to make his debut in the second row in an otherwise unchanged squad.

Flanker Tony Irwin will not be out for as long as initially feared, although next week's cup game at Bromsgrove might come just too early for him.

Darlington begin life in North Division One with a visit to Driffield and have new captain David Glendenning making his first appearance of the season.

They also introduce former Stockton player Ian Todd at blind side alongside two old colleagues in Martin Howe and Bryan Dixon, who returns after illness to play at No 8 as Del Lewis is unavailable.

Glendenning takes over at full back from Mark Butler, who is on the bench with prop Joe Osleton as Phil Lancaster opts to start the match.

Hooker Rob Goddard returns and Rob Stewart continues at scrum half, despite interest from elsewhere.

Middlesbrough are again at home to Hull Ionians, seeking revenge for last week's cup defeat.

Boro have lost flanker Ben Pattinson to Wakefield, and although they have re-signed Tim Sawyer he is not yet fully fit so they hand a debut to local lad Dean Gardner.

Ben Horton comes in for unavailable hooker Ross Groves and former Durham County prop Dale Sawdon deputises for Chris Horton. The one change in the backs sees Steve Graham switch to fly half in a direct swap with Ashley Parker.

Stockton and Northern, both relegated from North One, meet on Teesside in their first match in North Two East.

Winger Pedro Salahshouri and flanker Brett Wildridge return to the Stockton squad. But Jeremy Good will be working in the Midlands until Christmas, so Lee Richardson switches to fly half.