TOBY Flood has been going to Kingston Park since he was ten, watching first Rob Andrew then Jonny Wilkinson grace Newcastle Falcons' No 10 shirt.

Now they will be closely watching the 20-year-old fly half from Morpeth as he makes his first start in the pivotal position in tomorrow's Anglo-Welsh Powergen Cup tie at home to Sale Sharks.

Wilkinson will be on the bench after his appendix operation and will definitely get on at some stage, although it could be a lengthy wait if Flood lives up to expectations.

Andrew said: "We have recognised Toby as a very talented player for a long time and it's time we took him to the next level. He has all the skills and a fantastic attitude.

"I have very high hopes for him and he will be a really good player if he continues the way he has developed so far.

"This is the ideal time for him because the rest of the backline has vast experience and he also has Mathew Tait looking electric again outside him."

Flood's grandfather, Albert Lieven, was an actor who appeared in The Guns of Navarone, while both of Toby's parents are involved in the theatre.

But he admitted there would be some stage fright when he realises a dream by donning the No 10 shirt for the first time.

He starred at full back two years ago for Darlington Mowden Park and also appeared there twice for the Falcons last season. But fly half is his natural position and he has played there a year early for England Under 21s, going to the World Cup in Argentina.

"I just can't believe it's happening, but coming off the bench in the last two games has helped my confidence," he said.

"It's also a real confidence boost knowing that when I have played at full back in the past it has been because someone was injured, but now I'm in on merit.

"I have really enjoyed playing in the Guinness A League games because we have an exciting, ball-playing team. We love to throw it around and have a go and I'm sure there will be an element of that on Sunday.

"I'm a different type of player to Jonny and Dave Walder because I have a gangly frame. The main thing is to go out and be myself and try not to get overwhelmed by the occasion."

Quite how big the occasion will be is open to doubt, with a suspicion that both teams are using the event for experimentation.

Newcastle also include two inexperienced props in ex-Westoe man David Wilson and Italian Tino Paoletti, but Andrew insisted: "We are taking this competition very seriously.

"The cup needed a revamp and involving the Welsh clubs is a great idea. To reach a semi-final double-header at the Millennium Stadium, followed by a Twickenham final, certainly provides the motivation to take it seriously.

"In many respects it has come at a good time because clearly we have some issues to fix. We have not been happy with the way we have started the season.

"We have been working hard this week on things like stopping the rolling maul and line-out defence. We are all frustrated with some aspects of our forward play, but we have to patient and keep working at it because we have personnel of a high enough quality to turn it around."

This is Newcastle's only home game in their three group matches as they visit Llanelli next Sunday in a game to be shown on BBC2, then travel to Leeds on the first weekend in December.

The winners of each of the four groups will qualify for the Millennium Stadium on March 4.

Blaydon will be hoping former Newcastle centre Martin Shaw can show his class against the team he captained at the end of last season, Darlington Mowden Park, who visit Crow Trees today for a Powergen National Trophy tie.

Blaydon's ex-Mowden hooker Matt Hall has been in excellent form, but of the five ex-Blaydon men in Mowden's squad Gavin Stainsby is doubtful. He suffered a hand injury on his debut last week, so Anthony Peck returns at lock.

Darlington have generally struggled in recent seasons when flanker Martin Howe has been unavailable, but they are confident that Falcons Academy player Phil Dawson can fill the breach at New Brighton.

In the other cup ties involving North-East teams, Tynedale face the long trek to Nuneaton, while Westoe visit Penrith, a side they beat on their way to the Intermediate Cup final last season.

Durham City have hooker Michael Hay and lock Kevin Showler back for their North Two East match at Morpeth. Mark Davison switches to prop and Darren McKinnon starts at No 8, while the backs remain unchanged.

West Hartlepool are without Stu Bennett, Andy Palmer and Martin Todd through injury for the visit of Sandal, while Phil Wallis is working. But Brett Cullinane returns to the front row and James Masshedar at full back.