DARLINGTON Mowden Park will hand a first start to former Australian Schoolboys player Jacob Woodhouse at Esher today.

Now 24, he is a UK ancestry visa holder who has played grade one rugby for Sydney-based Manly, mainly at full back.

Although he can also play at outside centre, full back is the one position in Mowden's team which is not settled and he becomes the seventh to be tried there this season.

Chris Auld, who started at full back last week, switches to centre with Ben Frankland dropping to the bench. Bruno Bravo returns at scrum half in the only other change.

Woodhouse has previous experience in National One after helping Doncaster to the title two years ago.

Mowden's four-match winning run will face a stern test against fourth-placed Esher, who are captained by former Durham University and Durham County No 8 Harrison Collins.

They have collected the division's highest number of four-try bonus points, nine, and won 36-5 along the Thames at Henley last week.

After their good start, which included a win at Mowden, Henley have lost their last five games and will not relish a trip to Blaydon, who have been forced to make two changes.

Prop Andrew Foster and scrum half Ruaridh Dawson were on the bench for Newcastle Falcons at Connacht last night and are replaced by Trevor Davison and Andrew Richardson.

Tynedale leave behind flooded Corbridge for their National Two North match at Sandal and are uncertain whether they will be able to return for next week's home match against Harrogate.

Health and safety will decide, with even a toxicity report required, but the clubhouse will be out of action for up to two months. Portable cabins will be used instead.

Billingham face their toughest test of the season in Three North when they visit runaway leaders Sheffield Tigers. Fly half Mark Ireland, who spent most of last season at Mowden Park, has amassed 163 points for the Tigers.

West Hartlepool also visit South Yorkshire for a North One East match againt Dinnington. Third-placed West need to win to narrow the gap as the top two play each other.

But they have three forwards unavailable, while Michael Hogan and Adam Coates are injured. Owen Bennett returns to form a second row pairing with John Bunter, Jack Angus starts at prop and Tom Shaw comes into the back row.

The top-of-the-table clash in Durham and Northumberland One sees leaders Durham City entertain Middlesbrough, who are one point behind.

City have benefited from the powerful centre pairing of Bradley Pears and Craig Dominic, who spent the last three years on the fringe of Mowden Park's first team.

They will be opposed by Boro skipper Rob Bellerby and Matthew Todd, who switches from fly half with Sam Gaudie taking over at No 10. That allows Conner Foley to return at scrum half, with Andy Micklewright dropping to the bench.

Stockton aim to bounce back after their first home league defeat by Durham City last week when they visit Gosforth, whose new home at Broadway West is unplayable. The game will take place at Bullocksteads.

Martin Dixon and Joe Green return to Stockton's back row for Jonny Cheetham and Lewy Gray, while Ben Costello replaces.

unavailable winger Brian Morris.

Darlington have their best chance of breaking their duck when they entertain the team just above them, Ponteland.