Darlington'S Richard Snowball has been named in the England Counties squad for a match against France Amateurs in Beaune on March 11.

The lock is one of only two forwards in the 25-man squad from National Three North as the majority are from clubs like Moseley and Esher.

Tynedale winger Hamish Smales is also selected, as is Preston Grasshoppers full back Oliver Viney, who is challenging Darlington's Alan Brown as Three North's leading try scorer.

Division One players have not been included, although any who take part in the County Championship in May might be considered for an overseas tour in the summer.

The squad are to train at Broadstreet on February 26 and March 5 before leaving for two days' training in France before the match.

Snowball came up through Darlington's junior ranks along with props Joe Oselton and Dan Miller, plus scrum half Rob Stewart, who made his comeback after injury at outside centre last week and stays there for today's visit of Leicester Lions.

Adam Kibirige also retains his place on the wing as Frankie Coulson makes way for the return of Simon Crozier because of a dead leg.

The pack is unchanged, with player-coach Craig Lee saying: "We're on a good run and it was a good performance to win at Hull last week.

"Sometimes when we have gone behind we have folded, but we did well to pull it back."

Hopes of recalling Phil Dawson to the squad have been dashed by a recurrence of his shoulder problem after a substitute appearance for the Newcastle Development XV on Monday.

Darlington Mowden Park will again be labouring under the uncertainty surrounding relegation when they entertain Fylde.

The National Clubs Association, who voted 35-7 in favour of expanding the leagues, have set up a task group who will present their final review on March 28 and that will be considered by the RFU Council on April 28.

That means there can be no decision on relegation until the end of the season, but for clubs in the North-East and Cornwall there is little prospect of more money to fund extra travelling in expanded leagues.

Unless a replacement is found quickly, the withdrawal of Powergen's sponsorship will leave a hole in the RFU's coffers.

With Mark Darlington playing in a university game and Junior Fagalilo ruled out by an arm injury, Mowden will have Danny Brown hooking and new signing Rob Kalbraier at loose head.

Lock Iain Robinson is fit after being forced off early in last week's game, so Eni Gisende is able to start at blind side.

Back after lengthy absences are Gareth Kerr and lock Luke Monument, who will be on the bench. Kerr will partner Roddy Gouionnet at centre, with Seo Atelemo switching to the wing.

After their outstanding rugby at Fylde last week, Blaydon are unchanged for the visit of Macclesfield, who are just above Mowden in fourth-bottom place.

Blaydon are hoping Tynedale can do them a favour by toppling leaders Nuneaton at Corbridge, although the absence of high-scoring full back Will Massey with a knee injury is a handicap.

Middlesbrough have decided to suspend their two forwards who were sent off, along with two opponents, in last week's win against Chester.

Prop Craig Chapman and No 8 Ben Pattinson were both dismissed for retaliation, but Boro have decided not to wait for the RFU hearing.

Richie Barker switches to No 8 for today's North One match at Birkenhead Park, with Mark Kerruish coming in at blind side, while Ross McNeill starts in place of Kobi Gyasi on the wing.

Lock Dave Hinchley is in the squad for the first time this season after a shoulder injury, while former skipper Richard McRae makes his comeback in the second team.

West Hartlepool have also suspended prop Brett Cullinane following his dismissal against Stockton, so Anth Carr returns after his two-match ban for the trip to North Two East strugglers, Sandal.

Winger Chris Lambert returns after helping the colts to an impressive win at Moseley in their national cup.

Sandal have failed to fulfil three away games this season and forfeited the points at Beverley last week by fielding four unregistered players.

Third-placed Durham City name an unchanged pack for the visit of Morpeth, with flanker Grant Thompson staying at centre. He will be partnered by Richard Knowles, with Richard Stanley moving to the wing as Will Rubie is unavailable.

Newcastle Falcons will be hoping the return of centres Jamie Noon and Mathew Tait will help them entertain the fans at home to Gloucester tomorrow.

With the threat of relegation receding, they should be able to play with a little more adventure following the drab win at home to Saracens and a 9-6 victory in the rain at London Irish.

Skipper Colin Charvis is also back from international duty and has Mike McCarthy alongside him in the back row in place of Owen Finegan.

Although McCarthy has had fewer starts than in his first season with the Falcons, he believes he is a better player.

"I feel this season I have developed my game more," said the 24-year-old former Connacht player.

"When I have played I think my contribution has been a bit better, especially my work at the breakdown and my ball-carrying.

"There's a really good feeling among the squad and around the club as a whole because our recent run has given everyone a lot of confidence.

"Gloucester have one of the best packs in the league and it will be another test of how much we have come on."

The first Falcons Sevens are to be staged at Kingston Park on May 27, when nearby Bullocksteads will also be used as the event will run alongside the Northumberland County Sevens.

Sponsored by Spinnaka, who support the Falcons' Community Foundation and sponsor the Man of the Match award at home games, the event is the brainchild of winger Tom May and his former teammate Martin Shaw.

Entrance fees from the County Sevens will be donated to the Ali Johnson Trust, set up on behalf of the Tynedale forward who suffered a serious neck injury 18 months ago.

The Falcons have also entered three sevens tournaments in the Borders, at Melrose (April 8), Hawick (April 15) and Langholm (April 22).