ROB Andrew is confident his Newcastle Falcons team can bounce back from the defeats in their last two matches and win away to his old club Wasps tomorrow.

With England scrum half Matt Dawson now on board, Zurich Premiership champions Wasps won 10-9 away to Northampton last week to move above Newcastle, but Andrew said: "They are not quite firing on all cylinders so the opportunity is there for us.

"It's a crucial game. We have fixed a few issues which arose last week and we believe we can win. It has become a very big game.

"We need to win it to erase the memories of Gloucester and Leicester. We would take any win down there - it does not matter about the score. A victory would certainly lift confidence.

"The last two weeks have brought us down to earth with a bump, but I don't think there's a huge amount wrong. We have had injuries but we just have to stay calm and focused."

Back in the squad after injury tomorrow will be Matt Burke, back row man Phil Dowson, lock Craig Hamilton and hooker Matt Thompson.

Burke could now get the chance to solve the problem at inside centre, where he was selected last week only to become a late withdrawal because of a shoulder problem.

Andrew added: "Rugby players are very resilient and if you get yourself right for the next match your focus is just about winning that game. If you can do that you forget about the week before."

Dawson's burgeoning TV and media career has seen him axed from the England squad and prevented him from challenging Jonny Wilkinson for the captaincy.

Not that Andrew thinks it would have been an issue as he said: "It's right that Jonny's captain and it's right that England are starting to build towards the next World Cup.

"I think he will be fantastic and we are all very proud of him up here. But we should not expect too much from Jonny or from England at the moment. I just hope that people realise that England are starting to build again."

Wasps will also include outgoing England captain Lawrence Dallaglio if he again decides to defy a rib injury, while full back Mark van Gisbergen has been earning rave reviews.

New Zealand-born, he qualifies for England next September and is keen to play for the country he has adopted as his home.

Falcons: Burke, May, Noon, Taione, Stephenson, Wilkinson (captain), Charlton, Ward, Long, Hurter, Gross, Grimes, McCarthy, Charvis, Sititi. Replacements: Isaacson, Mackie, Hamilton, Williamson, Grindal, Walder, Tait

In National Three North, Darlington Mowden Park entertain Bedford Athletic today with the same squad which beat Bradford and Bingley two weeks ago. But winger Tom Lauriston will need a fitness test on a calf injury and Gareth Kerr stands by.

Mowden have resisted the temptation to include newly-arrived South African lock Naude Pretorius, who will again play for the seconds at Cleckheaton.

Tom McLaren will start on the bench for his final appearance before returning to Australia, while prop Dave Sinclair has confirmed that he will be going to New Zealand after Christmas.

Blaydon will field their newcomer, New Zealander Hayden Cullen, in the back row for their match at Halifax, while Darlington pick from strength up front at Dudley Kingswinford.

Middlesbrough, with one win in three games, are at home to North One leaders Hull Ionians and include another former colt in lock Geoff Lodge in their squad.

Among the other youngsters Neil Baggett continues at full back as Simon Moore is still injured, while Richard Metcalfe continues alongside Lee Richardson at centre in the absence of Martin Featherstone.

* Mowden Park are again unable to call on any players from the Falcons' academy as the Newcastle Development XV have a game away to Edinburgh on Monday.

Several players familiar to Mowden fans starred in last Monday's 45-12 win against Worcester at Percy Park as Amarveer Ladhar scored two tries and fellow winger Ollie Phillips one.

Eni Gesinde went on as a replacement flanker and scored after being set up by full back Stephen Jones, while Toby Flood kicked five conversions.

* Barnard Castle, beaten finalists for the last two years, visit Yarm today in the third round of the Daily Mail Schools Cup.

England Schools prop Ross Batty has scored five tries in three games so far this seasons and they have already beaten Yarm 68-5, but lost 15-12 to Durham School.

Coach Martin Pepper said: "We have ten players from the squad of 22 who went to Twickenham last season.

"I don't think this team is quite as good as the last two years and much will depend on how our very young backs cope with the big games.

"They have plenty of talent, but they lack experience."