MICHAEL Stephenson will be back in his England Schools position of full back for Newcastle Falcons' home game against Bath tomorrow. But he will have Australian Matt Burke breathing down his neck.

Burke has been out for two months after a knee operation, but is recalled on the bench alongside Mathew Tait and Epi Taoine, who have also recovered from injury.

Joe Shaw, another candidate for the full back position, has had an ankle operation and has been ruled out for the season, as has Semo Sititi because of his broken jaw.

Stephenson, 24, began his Falcons career at No 15 but switched to the wing to accommodate Dave Walder, who continues at fly half tomorrow.

England Sevens player Ollie Phillips will be on the left wing with Tom May switching from centre to the right wing as Jamie Noon returns.

Also back from international duty is Stuart Grimes, who will be partnered in the second row by Stockton product Geoff Parling.

Noon signed a new two-year contract this week and Director of Rugby Rob Andrew said: "Jamie's on a bit of a high after the Six Nations and brings great confidence with him into the side.

"Neither he nor Stuart ever seem to have a bad game for us. They are both very consistent performers and we need that sort of stability against a tough Bath side.

"Matt Burke has been training on and off with us for two weeks and we just feel the bench is the best way to reintroduce him. The same goes for Mathew Tait."

Also on the bench after recovering from mumps is prop Dave Wilson, while Argentinian Galo Alvares Quinones makes his first Premiership start at tight head in place of Micky Ward.

Andrew added: "It makes a nice change to have a lot of front row options. We have asked Micky Ward and Ian Peel to do a hell of a lot over the last few months.

"Galo has looked comfortable and is settling in, while having Dave Wilson back after nine months out with a knee injury is a massive bonus because he is a real talent."

Welsh flanker Colin Charvis is still not fit, although he may still play a part in next week's Heineken Cup quarter-final away to Stade Francais, when Burke is likely to start.

But Andrew refuses to look ahead, saying: "We can't start worrying about next week until Bath are out of the way. The league is important to us, as we have shown by picking a strong side.

"Nobody has secured their place in the team for Paris yet, so there is a lot to play for this weekend."

All three remaining Durham Cup first round ties should have taken place today, but Horden were unable to raise a side to entertain holders Blaydon so the county have ruled it must be played on Wednesday, April 6.

That does not suit Blaydon at the height of their relegation battle in National Three North, although their plight would be eased by victory at home to bottom club Bedford Athletic next week.

Stockton have player/coach Alan Brown plus centres Steve Thornton and Graham Kell unavailable for the visit of Westoe.

Either Brett Wildridge or Ian Todd will replace Brown, while Simon Crozier and Dan Taylor are at centre with ex-colt Phil Bieda on the wing.

The winners will face Darlington Mowden Park or Hartlepool Rovers, who meet at Yiewsley Drive today, although there is little idea of when the semi-final might take place. Mowden will not want to play until they are safe from relegation and their league fixtures go on until April 30.

* Middlesbrough will be away to Moseley or Nottingham in the semi-finals of the National Colts Cup after beating London Irish at Acklam Park.