NO LONGER able to field the settled side which began their run of 12 wins, Darlington Mowden Park have drafted in two Pacific Islanders for today's visit of Blackheath.

George Wacokecoke is on the wing and Talite Vaioleti takes the second row place of Rob Conquest, who played for England Counties against a Scotland Clubs XV at Galashiels last night.

There was no place in that match for winger Peter Homan, who has been injured since being named in the squad, while his regular wing partner, Jake Henry, is also ruled out today.

Wacokecoke, 20, struggled to impress when he made four appearances at the end of last season after joining from Bath. He was also behind Tom Kill in Mowden's pecking order at the start of this season before the Billingham product became a long-term injury victim.

But the Fiji-born flier has been rewarded for starring on his first outing at fly half in last week's 51-12 victory for the second team against Blaydon, when he also acted as goal-kicker.

After his father was transferred by the British Army, Wacokecoke grew up in Ipswich, as did leading try-scorer Simon Uzokwe. Both joined the Northampton Academy before the winger was released and was taken on by Bath.

Also handed a starting spot today after recent appearances from the bench is local lad Joe Craggs, who joins Uzokwe in the back row with Santiago Socino reverting to hooker.

Mowden are now without both wingers, locks and flankers, plus goal-kicker Garry Law, from the side which began the winning run. So their depth is being seriously tested as they attempt to get back on track following last week's 14-7 defeat at Richmond.

Third-placed Blackheath are 13 points behind Richmond but have not given up hope of catching them and it will be no surprise if they include their three players who were on the bench for England Counties last night.

They already had winger Leo Fielding in the starting line-up and could have asked for this match to be postponed had it not already been a victim of last month's frost.

Mowden lost 23-7 at Blackheath in September, having trailed 20-0 at half-time, but the Londonders will not relish a return to the Northern Echo Arena, where they lost 50-10 last season.

Matt Walsh starts at scrum half and Ignas Darkintis at tight head, with Bruno Bravo and Ralph Appleby on the bench. Jake Woodhouse reverts to full back, with Ben Frankland returning to partner Chris Auld at centre.

Blaydon skipper Keith Laughlin is named on the bench for the visit of Henley after captaining England Counties last night, when prop Trevor Davison was among the replacements.

Laughlin's back row place goes to Andrew Archibald with Chris Wearmouth returning at lock, while Andrew Foster replaces Davison with David Nelson alongside him as Victor Guignouard is injured.

Tom Rock, who preceded Micky Ward as Blaydon's player-coach, was recently re-signed and will play at inside centre.

He left his previous post with Otley after joining the RAF and Ward was keen to have him on board as Blaydon battle against relegation.

This is a crucial game against the side just below them and it is one of their two games in hand on Wharfedale, who are one point ahead. Blaydon can also overhaul Loughborough Students, while Hull Ionians are rapidly dropping into the frame.

Tynedale again take advantage of Newcastle Falcons' hospitality as they seek to edge away from the threat of a second successive relegation in National Two North.

Fellow strugglers Luctonians make the journey from Herefordshire for the 3pm kick-off, just as they did in December on the day the floods struck Corbridge.

Tynedale will be looking to tighten their defence after sharing 12 tries in last week's defeat by Broadstreet, who won the conversion count 5-2 in the absence of Ash Smith.

Of the handful of rearranged games being staged lower down the leagues, Hartlepool v Barnard Castle will have the greatest bearing on promotion in Durham and Northumberland Two.

Barney were leading 7-5 when the original fixture was abandoned because of an injury to the referee. Victory today would see them climb above their hosts, still with two games in hand.