ROB Andrew yesterday ridiculed the regulations which have forced him to select flanker Mike McCarthy on the wing for Newcastle Falcons' European Challenge Cup tie away to Italian club L'Aquila tomorrow.

The rules allow clubs to register 36 players for the competition in September, of which ten have to be front row men, so Newcastle did not include former England Sevens winger Ollie Phillips or utility back Joe Shaw.

It was uncertain at the time when either would be fit, but both have recently returned to action, only to find they cannot deputise for any of the six registered backs currently injured or for Mathew Tait, who is on England Sevens duty in South Africa.

Andrew said: "The ERC regulations are bizarre. It makes their own competitions look stupid when you have the situation we are in, having two fit wingers with neither able to play and having to field a flanker out there.

"To be restricted to 36 is a total nonsense when you consider we have 44 players registered with us. We have two guys just back from long lay-offs and all they need is rugby, but because of some stupid rule they can't get it."

Andrew has opted to play Dave Walder at full back, leaving Matt Burke as the only back among the seven replacements, the idea being that he can cover every position. He is also due a rest, having played for all but the last ten minutes of the Saracens game.

"There's a real danger Matt will break down if we don't give him a breather," said Andrew. "Mike McCarthy has played a bit of schools rugby on the wing and the pattern we play means he spends a fair amount of time in wide positions.

"He has trained there this week and we are confident he can do a job for us. The natural candidate among the forwards would have been Phil Dowson, but he's injured."

Owen Finegan returns in place of McCarthy at blind side and the return of skipper Colin Charvis at No 8 means there is no place for Jason Smithson.

Scotland lock Stuart Grimes makes his first start of the season after a pectoral injury and there are three locks - Geoff Parling, Andy Buist and Luke Gross - on the bench.

Tynedale prop Jonny Williams makes only his second senior start at loose head with Tino Paoletti and Matt Thompson completing the front row.

Although L'Aquila have won the Italian championship five times they recently sacked their French coach Jacques Fouroux and the Falcons should beat them both in Italy and at home on Sunday week.

They are looking at this competition as their one chance of silverware this season and after these two games their remaining group matches are at home to Borders on January 15 and away to Brive the following Saturday.

Darlington will be without player-coach Craig Lee and experienced flanker Martin Howe for tomorrow's National Three North match at Blaydon.

Howe's hand turned out not to be broken after last week's win against Cleckheaton, but he will not be risked and Lee will rest his injured knee.

Darlington have the option of recalling Del Lewis, who has had to sit on the bench since his return from holiday, or they could go for their two Barnard Castle School products, playing Phil Dawson at open side and James Beattie at centre.

"Some of these youngsters deserve a chance," said Lee. "It's a big game and it's an opportunity for them to show what they can do."

With the Darlington derby coming up at Blackwell Meadows next week, Mowden Park face a tricky decision over whether to risk their talented fly half Johann Booysen at home to Hull Ionians.

He twisted an ankle late in last week's game, while centre Gareth Kerr suffered a knee injury which is expected to keep him out for several weeks.

There is also a doubt about lock Iain Robinson, who was unable to complete the game at Nuneaton, while Anthony Peck is playing in the England Students trial. Mowden will be checking on the availability of Luke Monument, who is believed to have recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered three months ago.

Stockton's promising young centre Tom Armstrong will be out for ten weeks after breaking a hand in several places last week. He is replaced by Paul Underwood in the only change for the trip to Beverley, whose influx of Pacific Islanders has helped them into second place in North Two East.