DARLINGTON Mowden Park kick off their second season in National One with four newcomers signed from Plymouth in their team to visit Cinderford.

Following their relegation from the Championship, Plymouth are in the same division as Mowden and the four who have jumped ship include Middlesbrough product Rob Homan.

He and fellow Teessider Tom Kill are on the wings, while the other ex-Plymouth men are forwards.

Prop Tom Harrison and lock Tom Jubb have both played for England Under 20s, while flanker Ali Bone is a product of Loughborough University.

Mowden are expecting a much drier surface than when they won at Cinderford in January and have gone for pace in the back row with two more ex-Boro men, Rory Duff and Ollie Hodgson, edging ahead of a glut of candidates.

They include Argentinian Santiago Socino, who has been on trial with Newcastle Falcons and Italy A flanker Luca Petillo, who captained his country at under 19 and 21 level and has appeared in the European Challenge Cup.

Socino is on the bench but there is no place in the squad for Callum Mackenzie, Liam Riley and ex-Tynedale man Matt Charters.

The other signing from Tynedale, Ben Frankland, is partnered at centre by Chris Auld, from Edinburgh, with another new centre, Portuguese international Tomas Appleton on the bench.

Coach John Newton said: “Chris is a very good ball player who reads the game well. Tomas arrived recently and we have been very excited by what we have seen. He is very quick and has great hands.”

Also making his debut is Bruno Bravo, who has played for the Argentinian sevens team. He is partnered at half back by Garry Law.

Two front row men, Lithuanian Ignis Darkintis, and hooker Simon Uzokwe, add to the international flavour, while fitness coach Jamie Barnard is at full back.

He takes the spot vacated by Henry Robinson, who has moved to London along with Cameron Mitchell. Another departure is back row man George Hedgley, who has joined Wharfedale.

Winger Chris McTurk has re-signed after missing the second half of last season and ex-Newcastle and Sale prop Darren Fearn has signed a three-year deal, which will also involve him in community coaching.

Blaydon kick off at home to Blackheath with all their experienced forwards available except Matt Hall, who is contemplating retirement. Another hooker, David Nelson, joins prop Andrew Foster and No 8 Callum Chick in being dual-registered with the Falcons, who have also called up fly half Brett Connon for duty against Sale tomorrow.

In his absence, Andrew Baggett is at fly half and the exciting Frazer Wilson is on the wing after lasting only a couple of games on his long-awaited comeback from injury last season.

In National Three North Billingham will hope for a repeat of last year's opening day win at home to Lymm. Danny Dixon, back from Mowden, is at No 8, Andrew Evans edges out Dan Finney at scrum half, and Peter Evans is at centre in the absence of both Hyndmans, Chris and Anth. Luke Wilson is at full back.

Following three promotions, Guisborough find themselves a division higher than Middlesbrough in North One East. They will be defending an unbeaten home record stretching back three years against Percy Park.

West Hartlepool visit relegated Beverley with Gavin Painter partnering his brother Ryan at half back. Eldon Myers is at centre but his brother, Aaron, is working and Stu Waites is out for a week with an elbow injury.

Stockton have a tough start in Durham and Northumberland One when they take on Gateshead at their new Grangefield ground .

They will be without locks Steve Taylor and Jonny Cheetham, so Todd Highfield and Charlie Doherty continue to cover, with Ben D'Cunha, Ben Cordiner and Mark Conway forming a new front row.

Joe Green and Martin Dixon return to the back row and the experienced Steve Thornton is added to the youthful backs, along with scrum half Brian Thwaites.

Coach Martin Howe said: “There is definitely a bit of a buzz about the place with a new venue and a new start. We have picked up some local players and have a promising young squad that will improve.”

Bishop Auckland aim to boost junior participation during the World Cup by staging four successive Super Sundays starting on September 20.

All the junior teams have adopted a World Cup team and will be learning more about the culture and traditions in the rugby of each of those countries. When the USA are playing hamburgers will be available, when it's Scotland there will be haggis and lots of folk singing.

With New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa the traditional war dances will be learned and other entertainment, such as face painting, will be provided in an attempt to create a family-friendly spirit.

All ages are invited for a noon start and matches for the junior teams will be followed by the World Cup games.

The club are also holding a sportsman's evening on Saturday, September 19, when the speakers will be former Newcastle Falcons, Leicester and England Saxons flanker Ben Woods, and former Leeds United and Arsenal goalkeeper John Lukic. Tickets, to include a pie and pea supper, cost £15 and are available from the club.