NEWCASTLE Falcons will field the centre pairing which began last season's Six Nations Championship when Jamie Noon returns to partner Mathew Tait in tomorrow's home match against Brive.

After recovering from injury, Noon will take over at inside centre from Mark Mayerhofler for the opening match in the European Challenge Cup.

The Falcons see the competition as a route back into the Heineken Cup, in which they were quarter-finalists last season, and Director of Rugby Rob Andrew said: "We are taking this extremely seriously.

"Having Brive, Borders and L'Aquila in our group gives us a good chance to make progress and we have to get off to a good start."

After playing in every game so far, Mayerhofler is rested after straining a hamstring at Leicester last Friday.

Luke Gross replaces suspended lock Andy Perry, with Stuart Grimes providing cover on the bench after recovering from a rib injury.

Another change sees Mike McCarthy taking over at blind side from Australian international Owen Finegan, with Andrew explaining: "Mike has played really well for the Development XV and has been effective when coming on for the first team. He was very influential at Leicester and we need to see him because Colin Charvis will be away for the Autumn Tests."

Blaydon skipper Dave Guthrie remains doubtful for the National Three North match at Darlington Mowden Park.

He injured a knee in the 25-21 cup win at home to the same opponents three weeks ago and whether or not he plays any part depends on his reaction to last night's training. Blaydon expect Croatian prop Ivan Nola to return.

Darlington will have skipper Paul Lee back at fly half for the trip to leaders Nuneaton, but flanker Martin Howe and full back Apenai Kororua both need another week to recover from their injuries.

While David Glendenning begins his comeback in the seconds, Ben Snook will start at full back, with Simon Crozier switching to centre and Adam Kibirige coming in on the wing.

"Nuneaton lost at home to Tynedale in the cup and have been winning their league games only narrowly, so we will go down there full of confidence," said player-coach Craig Lee.

"We have to make sure we come away with points when we get close to the line."

The Powergen Intermediate Cup draw has again been unkind to the North-East, with Middlesbrough away to Hull in the third round on November 5 and West Hartlepool travelling to Stockport.

It means Boro play Hull twice in three weeks as they entertain the Humbersiders, who are third from the bottom of North One, tomorrow.

Ties involving North-East teams in the Junior Vase on the same day are: Leodiensians v Bishop Auckland, Pocklington v Guisborough, St Edwards OB v Houghton, Sunderland v Ripon, Yarnbury v Seaton Carew.

Stockton visit Driffield in North Two East with full back Dan Cowell returning to the squad and prop Gary Skirving available, allowing Danny Muirhead to revert to hooker.