AFTER three successive defeats, Darlington Mowden Park have made wholesale changes for today's visit to Bedfordshire club Ampthill.

Seven of last week's starting line-up are out and Callum Mackenzie switches from the back row to wing.

Among those drafted in are Toby Salmon, a lock on loan from Rotherham, and Italy A back row man Luca Petillo, who will have local lad Joe Craggs alongside him.

Such is the size of Mowden's squad that they have yet to hand a senior debut to former Newcastle Falcons centre Michael Tait and ex-Doncaster player Eti Slater, who was alongside Tait in the Development XV's 14-10 win at Durham University this week.

Joe Maud, who made an impact in the first team last season, was on the bench against the students, underlining the glut of back row talent, which has prompted attempts to convert Liam Riley into a hooker.

Scrum half Bruno Bravo returns after his week's suspension, George Wacokecoke comes in at full back, while Darren Fearn and Simon Uzokwe are in the front row with Ignas Darkintis.

The only survivor from the team which clinched promotion in the last seconds of extra time against Ampthill 18 months ago is Mackenzie, although Ralph Appleby is on the bench.

Ampthill were again in a play-off last season, beating Bishop's Stortford, and after winning their first three games in National One they drew 14-14 at home to Henley last week.

Still coached by former Wales fly half Paul Turner, and with several Tongans involved, Ampthill have two Bedford players on loan in prop Jack Culverhouse and prolific winger Dean Adamson.

With three centres injured, Blaydon have switched Andrew Baggett from fly half for the home game against Hartpury College.

Brett Connon comes in for his first start at No 10 and Andrew Archibald partners Chris Wearmouth at lock, with Keith Laughlin reverting to the back row.

Rhodri Adamson switches to full back with Nathan Horsfall at scrum half, and Sam White replaces unavailable prop Robbie Kalbraier.

In National Three North, struggling Billingham visit mid-table Ilkley and North One East leaders West Hartlepool are away to third-placed Morley.

Although the Yorkshire club have also won their first four games, they scrambled home 10-7 at Guisborough, where West won 42-0.

Skipper Dan Boatman is again at Twickenham, but the rest return, as do most of Stockton's absentees last week.

They will be without marksman Jeremy Good and Ben Costello at home to Horden, however, so Jonny Horner and Steve Thornton come in. Brian Thwaites returns at scrum half for Anthony Healey.

Todd Highfield bolsters the back row, Steve Taylor and Charlie Doherty resume their second row partnership, while Dan Muirhead and Matt Austen return to the front row.

Middlesbrough have named the experienced pair of Peter Wright and Andy Micklewright at half back for the trip to Ryton. Jack Bircham reverts to full back and Phil Harland comes into the second row with Richard Lonsdale on the bench.

D and N leaders Durham City are at home to Acklam, while bottom club Darlington go to Gateshead.