NEWCASTLE Falcons are banking on Dave Walder's tactical kicking to keep them afloat in tomorrow's Guinness Premiership match at Bath.

On what is expected to be a wet day, Walder comes in at fly half for Toby Flood, who is playing for England Under 21s against France in Perigeux today.

Director of Rugby Rob Andrew said: "Dave may well have got the nod for this game anyway. He was upset about being left out against Leicester and I have no problem with that because I want players who are desperate to play for the club."

Walder received high praise from Andrew after his tactical kicking tipped the balance in wet conditions at London Irish last month, helping them on a run of six wins in seven league games.

"It's always tough at Bath and the forecast isn't too clever," said Andrew. "In the past we have struggled in those conditions because we have not really had the firepower up front. Now we have addressed that and can play tighter when conditions dictate it."

The only other change sees Ollie Phillips come in on the wing with Tom May switching to centre as Mathew Tait is with the England Sevens squad at the Commonwealth Games.

With Jamie Noon and Colin Charvis on Six Nations duty, plus Flood and prop Dave Wilson with the Under 21s, Andrew said: It's a strange part of the season with having so many guys away and no game last weekend. So I'm quite looking forward to some sort of normality being resumed."

The National Three North programme is also disrupted following the decision to bring forward what was supposed to be a free date next week to tomorrow.

That was because of the France Amateurs v England Counties XV match in Beaune tomorrow, but Darlington Mowden Park and Blaydon have had to slot in rearranged matches to make up their backlog.

The rearrangement has come too late for Blaydon captain Dave Guthrie, who had agreed to work, and his place at No 8 for the visit of New Brighton goes to Paul Brady, with Dave Marwick at blind side. Otherwise the team is at full strength with James Kyle reverting to scrum half.

Mowden expect a mudbath at Kendal, but after beating the Cumbrians 37-7 at home last week without playing particularly well they should have no fears.

Gavin Stainsby and Ricky Bagier return to the back row, allowing Eni Gisende to switch to blind side, while Anthony Mellalieu is back at fly half.

Skipper Iain Dixon reverts to full back with Michael Breen going on to the wing for Matt Barker, who will be joined on the bench by Tim Visser after his five-week suspension. Ian Keeligan is still out, but Rob Kalbraier is fit to provide cover at prop.

Darlington have been left without a game and will be disappointed to hear that Richard Snowball is only on the bench for the England Counties XV. The second row positions have gone to the captain, Henley's James Winterbottom, and Moseley's Richard Stott.

Tynedale's Hamish Smales has been selected on the left wing and Catterick-born Durham School product Toby Handley, now with Stourbridge, is at scrum half.

As Stockton strive to stave off relegation in North Two East the experienced Graham Kell has made himself available and comes in at centre for the visit of Morpeth. Another centre, Mattie Oates, is back in training after recovering from a broken leg.

Stockton have been told by the league to play last week's postponed match at Percy Park next Saturday, forcing the Durham Cup tie against Westoe to be put back again, probably to April 1.