TWO talented all-round sportsmen hope to make their mark on the rugby fields of Darlington today.

Former professional cricketer Ben Usher makes his Darlington debut in the North Division One match at home to Bradford and Bingley, while Jonny Wilkinson's brother, Mark, is on the bench for Mowden Park.

A year older than Jonny at 23, Mark works as the conditioning coach for the Newcastle Falcons academy and has played for Northern and Gateshead Thunder. He was also a schoolboy county cricketer.

Usher, a 31-year-old winger, is a late comer to rugby and has worked his way up after starting in the fourth team.

Originally from Wycliffe, near Barnard Castle, he learnt his cricket at Norton and played in the Benson & Hedges Cup for the Combined Universities. He was on the Warwickshire staff for two years and has also played as a club professional in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League.

At 6ft 3in, he has a reputation for standing up well in the tackle and recycling the ball. He takes the place of Mark Butler, who is out for three weeks with a knee injury.

With Craig Lee back at centre after injury, Darlington will make a late choice between Simon White and Leigh Johnson, and there is a similar decision to make at blind side between Bryan Dixon and John Whitehouse.

The two not selected will be on the bench with Joe Osleton, whose brother Dan retains his place at hooker.

Mowden have signed Wilkinson in time to have him involved in the National Division Three North match against leaders Dudley Kingswinford.

Very much a utility player, he has turned down a contract with Gateshead Thunder and has been signed as a centre by Mowden as he is reputed to be quick and has a good pass.

He also kicks well out of hand.

He spent last summer in Australia, where he worked with the Sydney Roosters and the New South Wales State of Origin squad.

Mowden are determined to bounce back after last week's cup exit, with chairman John Parkinson saying: "The defeat by Manchester was a disappointment but it reaffirmed our view that we can compete effectively against sides at that level.

"After their win against Doncaster, our game against Dudley provides the ideal opportunity to get our promotion campaign well on track. It should be a cracking game."

Stuart Keelan will be at full back, but his Durham University colleague Tom Long is unavailable, so Del Russell or Tim Wilks will come into the back row.

Newcastle Falcons will be without six internationals for tomorrow's Premiership match at Wasps.

Jonny Wilkinson is playing for England today, Scotland have Andrew Mower and Stuart Grimes in their team plus George Graham on the bench against Tonga, who include Falcons' Epi Taione on the wing. And Inga Tuigamala is playing for Samoa in Dublin tomorrow.

But Newcastle boss Rob Andrew remained buoyant after hearing that scrum half Hall Charlton had been called into the England squad for next Saturday's game against Romania.

"It's brilliant," he said. "Hall has worked hard for the last two or three years and has not got impatient sitting behind Gary Armstrong. He is an outstanding prospect."

Two flankers promoted from the academy last summer, Middlesbrough's Matt Holmes and Guildford-born Phil Dowson, are in the Falcons squad for tomorrow.

David Walder will be at fly half with Dave Richardson at full back, unless Michael Stephenson is selected there, which would give Gareth Maclure an opportunity on the wing.

l Newcastle Falcons are putting a five-game season ticket on the market for Christmas. It starts with the European Cup match against Leinster on January 6 and takes in the home Premiership matches against Wasps, Sale, London Irish and Saracens. Discounts of up to 66 per cent are available. For more details ring 08700 85 60 60.

l There were seven withdrawals in the first round of the Durham County Cup competitions last Saturday, including two at second team level.

Results: Second Teams Cup: Ryton 32 Billingham 29, Durham City 27 Darlington Mowden Park 17, Winlaton Vulcans withdrew v Darlington, Stockton 6 Durham University 39, Westoe 15 Houghton 26, Consett & District 10 Gateshead 47, Horden 52 West Hartlepool TDSOB 12, Blaydon walked over v Hartlepool.

Third Teams Cup: Blaydon 23 Bishop Auckland seconds 0, Ryton 0 Durham University 68, Darlington Mowden Park withdrew v Billingham, Sunderland withdrew v Westoe, Gateshead 18 Darlington 20, Durham City walked over v Stockton

Fourth Teams Shield: Seaton Carew seconds 6 Darlington 17, Consett & District walked over v Stockton, Chester-le-Street seconds Yarm seconds 10, Durham City withdrew v Blaydon, Gateshead 32 Barnard Castle seconds 10, Jarrovians seconds 10 Wearside seconds 27, Westoe 46 South Tyneside College seconds 0, Ryton 27 West Hartlepool Amateurs seconds 10.

* The draw for the second round of each competition, to be played on Saturday, January 12, is:

Second Teams Cup: Blaydon v Gateshead, Durham University v Houghton, Darlington v Horden, Ryton v Durham City.

Third Teams Cup: Darlington v Blaydon, Horden v Durham University, Westoe v Billingham, Consett & District v Durham City.

Fourth Teams Shield: Blaydon v Darlington, Gateshead v Yarm, Ryton v Westoe, Consett v Wearside