DARLINGTON Mowden Park continue to strengthen their squad as they prepare to end a run of three defeats at National One's bottom club, Macclesfield, today.

Jack Payne, who has played for Australia Under 20s and also qualifies for Wales, makes his debut and Leicester Academy product Stone Priestley-Nangle is on the bench.

Both are second rows, although 18st Payne is selected at open side with Joe Craggs switching to No 8, while last week's debutant, David Fisher, stays at six.

Payne has played for Llanelli and the Scarlets, while Priestley-Nangle has recently been playing in France. A product of Worksop College, he represented Leicester Tigers in last season's Singha Premiership Sevens.

Ignas Darkintis returns at tight head and Santiago Socino is back on the bench, where player-coach Garry Law is notable by his absence following last week's 20-minute comeback.

The need to keep Sam Allan involved after starting the season at fly half sees him selected among the replacements, along with Will Murray.

His place at full back goes to Chris Auld with Ben Frankland returning at centre.

Blaydon visit Coventry hoping their strong pack will help them to maintain their good record against the once-mighty Midlanders.

Dual-registered Newcastle Falcons prop Paddy Ryan makes his debut in the absence of Robbie Kalbraier and with Jason Smithson back Andrew Archibald reverts to the second row.

The backs are unchanged, with Brett Connon again at full back as Blaydon rely on Andrew Baggett to supervise the midfield defence.

Tynedale will kick off at 2pm in their National Two North game at home to Hinckley, while it's 2.15 for the rest.

Billingham bring in Will Scott alongside Andrew Thompson in the second row as they attempt to stay in the promotion frame in Three North by winning at home to Cleckheaton.

Returning players have left North One East leaders West Hartlepool spoilt for choice at home to Durham City, with Aaron Myers having to settle for the bench.

Flanker Lee Maddison, who has impressed this season, is also back, along with skipper Dan Boatman, who joins John Bunter in the second row.

Nathan Myers is at centre as leading try scorer Liam Checksfield is ruled out by a calf injury suffered when training with the Scottish Exiles Under 18s.

After relegating goal-kicking fly half Charlie Scott to the bench, City recall him at full back. The backs look strong, but they are stretched up front with hooker Mike Hay having to play at loose head.

Durham and Northumberland One leaders Northern visit Stockton, who have climbed off the foot of the table with two successive wins.

Fly half Jonny Horner is unavailable for Stockton so Reece Cowley starts after impressing from the bench in recent weeks.

Charlie Doherty returns to the back row and prop Tom Nelson rejoins the squad.

If Northern slip up second-placed Barnard Castle will hope to capitalise by winning at home to Horden, while Middlesbrough can stay in the frame when they visit struggling Gosforth.