BAY OF PLENTY lock Mark Sorenson has hailed the unity in the Newcastle pack as they gear up for today's Guinness Premiership trip to London Irish.

The Falcons forwards have come to the fore in recent outings against Bristol and Wasps and the New Zealander said: "It's been enjoyable the way the guys have come together in the forwards.

"We have had more consistency in selection and the team spirit is fantastic, so there is a real togetherness."

Sorenson reserved special mention for second-row cohort Jason Oakes, the former Blaydon player signed last summer from Otley.

"Oakesy is a bit of an unheralded character I think, but not within the squad itself," said Sorenson, one of four autumn recruits to have bolstered the Kingston Park pack.

"He brings the passion and drive of a local man, as well as a real no-nonsense head-down sort of attitude. With it being his first season at this level he is very keen to learn, always listens intently, asks a lot of questions and takes it on board very quickly.

"He also provides a handy translation service between myself and the Geordie people, so I'm gradually becoming fluent with his and Micky Ward's help."

Having turned round their form in the forwards, Sorenson added: "Now that we have set the benchmark in the last two games we have to make sure we put the same effort in and really drive the team forward.

"Newcastle has become known as a backs-orientated team, but we believe we are making progress up front and we're determined to command respect."

While the same pack takes the field there are a number of changes behind the scrum as England trio Mathew Tait, Toby Flood and Jonny Wilkinson all slot in.

"The pressure is on them because they've taken the place of guys who were part of a winning back line last weekend," said Sorensen.

After training with Mowden Park on Thursday night following his loan from Newcastle, Tim Visser returned to Kingston Park yesterday and strained a hamstring.

He could be fit to play for Mowden next week, but misses today's 3pm kick-off at home to Cleckheaton, allowing Ben Snook to keep his place at centre. Skipper Jamie Connolly returns alongside him, with Gareth Kerr switching to the wing for the injured James Hamer.

Newcastle student Robbie Farenheim makes his first start at open side as Scott Riddell is unavailable and Andrew Tonkin has joined Darlington.

Prop Danny Brown has recovered from a shoulder injury and lock Iain Robinson is back from a skiing trip, but both have to settle for a place on the bench. Also among the replacements is newly-signed Fijian flier Ben Seru.

Tonkin is on the bench for Darlington's match at Fylde, along with prop Dan Miller after completing his eight-week suspension.

The other replacements are Del Lewis and fly half Rory Wood, whose hopes of a second spell as a player-coach in the United States were ended by visa problems.

With skipper Richard Snowball back at lock, Tom Wilkinson switches to take Lewis' place at No 8 and chairman of rugby Allan Calvert said: "It's the best bench we have had out in recent weeks. They are all players who can come on and make a difference. Training has gone very well and things are looking up all round."

Blaydon retain the back line which finished last week's game at Darlington for the visit of Morley, which means Director of Rugby Nick Gandy is at fly half.

It was a position in which they were spoilt for choice when they signed Anthony Mellalieu from Mowden seven weeks ago. Richard Windle was the regular No 10 but they had also signed Chilean international J P Guzman and Dan Clappison was ready to return after a dislocated jaw.

But in his first game back Clappison tore knee ligaments, while Guzman has gone home, Windle has dropped out of the frame and Mellalieu suffered a dead leg at Darlington.

James Kyle took over the goal-kicking, despite not having done it since he was at Sunderland several years ago, and he will again be entrusted with the task today.

Flanker Pat Segi has gone home to New Zealand as his partner is about to give birth, so Duncan Brown returns after injury, while Jimmy Houghton comes back in at lock for Paul Brady.

Middlesbrough have Lee Rust back at centre for the trip to Rochdale, where they hope to make absolutely certain of promotion from North One.

Boro's domination is reflected by the fact that Simon Moore is 50 clear as the division's leading points scorer with 234. Winger Andy Micklewright tops the try charts with 14.

West Hartlepool are without young stars Michael Young and Aaron Myers, who have Falcons commitments, for the visit of Old Crossleyans. Dave Tighe comes in at scrum half and with Tom Dixon back at lock Carl Miller drops back to take Myers' place in the back row.

Stockton, third bottom of Durham and Northumberland division one, can climb above visitors Consett if they win.