NEWCASTLE Falcons go back into the lions' den today when they face Gloucester in the Zurich Premiership play-offs.

Rob Andrew has issued an apology, although by no means a grovelling one, after being threatened with legal action for his accusations of racial abuse on Newcastle's last visit to Kingsholm in December.

Andrew was under threat from French hooker Olivier Azam, who was sent off in that game with Falcons' flanker Epi Taione, and the Gloucester supporters' association.

A lengthy inquiry found no evidence to support Taione's claim that Azam abused him, while it was established that one fan had been reprimanded.

Gloucester owner Tom Walkinshaw had also threatened to ban Andrew from Kingsholm, but Newcastle's Director of Rugby is too thick-skinned to worry about what kind of reception awaits him.

"I'm not the least bit bothered about going back," he said.

"It's now all been knocked on the head. It's funny how things work out, but it's time to get on with the rugby."

Andrew's former half back partner Nigel Melville, who has recently taken over as Gloucester coach, said: "I am looking forward to seeing Rob at Kingsholm. May he enjoy the experience."

Andrew, who quit Wasps to take the Newcastle job in October, 1995, hopes to sign a new five-year contract this summer.

It will coincide with work starting on the £12m ground development which he believes will give Kingston Park the facilities to rival any rugby ground in Europe.

Taione will not be playing today as his season has ended with a broken thumb, and as Inga Tuigamala has returned to Samoa Gareth Maclure will provide cover for wingers Liam Botham and Michael Stephenson, with David Walder at full back.

Gloucester finished third in the Premiership and Newcastle were edged into sixth place on points difference by Northampton, who beat them 24-19 last week.

The play-off finalists both qualify for the Heineken European Cup, but the Falcons can still get in through their league position as long as neither Wasps nor Bristol, who finished seventh and eighth, reach the play-off final.

If Newcastle lose today it will be Jonny Wilkinson's last game of a season in which he has exceeded the recommended limit of 32 games.

Named in the original England squad for the match against the Barbarians at Twickenham next Sunday, it is now accepted that he needs a rest and he has been replaced by Walder.

Others to be drafted in include Teessider James Simpson-Daniel, who has scored five tries in his last two Premiership matches for Gloucester.

Newcastle centre Tom May will join teammate Michael Stephenson in the England Sevens squad for the London leg of the IRB World Series at Twickenham next weekend.

l Somerset have declined to travel for their match against Durham at Darlington today as it would have been their third long trip of the new-style county competition.

Because of difficulties in getting players away from work in time to travel yesterday, Somerset hoped to fly up for the match.

But there were no suitable scheduled flights and it would have cost £7,000 to charter one.

Durham secretary Chris McLoughlin said: "This highlights the ridiculous nature of the new draw.

"Durham were almost in a similar position.

"A trip to Grassington against Yorkshire was followed last week by a trip to Middlesex, and success there would have meant a trip to Hertfordshire.

"Compare that with Cheshire, who face Yorkshire at home in the semi-finals, having played Sussex at home the first week then Notts, Lincs and Derby at home last weekend."

Devon have also declined to travel to Cumbria to play off for the eighth and ninth seedings next year.

Amazingly, Durham can still get to Twickenham for the final of the Shield competition on June 1 if they win at home next Saturday against the winners of today's Warwickshire v Northumberland match at Coventry.

McLoughlin added: "It's about time the Northern Group Championship, which Durham have always championed, was returned. We will be pushing that point at the next meeting of the North Counties on May 21."