DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK welcome some returning Falcons to the fold as they look to extend their unbeaten start to the season when they travel to Old Albanians.

Mowden currently sit on top of the National One table, and director of rugby Danny Brown is able to strengthen his side for tomorrow’s lengthy trip to St Albans.

Adam Radwan returns from Newcastle Falcons ‘A’ duty to reclaim his place in Mowden’s starting XV, with fellow Falcon Brett Connon also coming into the squad for the first time this year as he starts at fly-half. Mowden’s third dual-registered Falcons player, Simon Uzokwe, is named on the bench.

A much-changed backline also sees South African Brandon Asher-Wood handed his first senior Mowden start after he impressed from the replacements’ bench in last weekend’s win over Caldy.

The pack is largely unchanged, although Ralph Appleby replaces Darren Fearn after a week away and Dave Fisher returns in the absence of Joe Craggs, who picked up a calf knock last week.

On the bench, Ignas Darkintis returns alongside Uzokwe, with the pair joining Jake Brady as the forward options.

“We’re delighted to welcome back a few key players this weekend,” said Brown. “Ignas Darkintis and Ralph Appleby are both back after weekends away to give us a bit more depth in the front row.

“We’ve got Adam Radwan and Simon Uzokwe back from the Falcons A team, and they’re joined by Brett Connon who starts at fly-half for us. We’re looking forward to seeing how Brandon Asher-Wood goes on his first start for the club.

“Old Albanians is always a tough place to go, as with any away game in this league. We’re looking forward to the game and hopefully we can carry on our strong start to the season.”

Darlington Mowden Park Sharks are also in action tomorrow, and the women’s team’s trip to Harlequins will see Scotland captain Lisa Martin make her debut following her signing from Murrayfield Wanderers.

The Scotland skipper, who can cover both fly-half and centre, joined up with the Sharks squad this week, having won 37 caps for her country since making her international debut in 2011.

"To bring an international captain of Lisa’s quality in to the squad will add extra competition, leadership and experience to an already competitive backline,” said Sharks director of programme, Justin Loveridge. “This signing is a statement of the Sharks’ intention to succeed in the Tyrrell’s Premier 15s League.”

Martin captained Scotland for the first time when they lined up against England in the 2016 Six Nations, and has also represented both Scotland and Great Britain in sevens.

“I'd been playing up at Murrayfield Wanderers for a long time and needed a new test against some of the best players in the country to help develop my game,” said the 27-year-old. “I’d heard good things about Sharks from current and previous players and it sounded like it was a great club to be part of, there's a strong team being built here.

“With it being an exciting time for women's rugby in the UK, especially with the creation of the Tyrrells Premier 15s, I felt it was the right time to make that move and train alongside some quality players. I'm looking forward to showing what I can offer to the team over this season.

“Darlington Mowden Park Sharks have got a clear vision in how they want to develop and where they want to go over the next three years, so it's exciting to be a part of that journey. Everyone is buying in to the culture and professionalism that the new league demands, it's very similar to the international set up in that respect. Ultimately I want to help Sharks push on towards the play-off spots and really test the top teams down here.”

Martin will start on the replacements’ bench tomorrow, but England duo Katy McLean and Tamara Taylor both return to the starting XI, having come off the bench in last weekend’s bonus-point defeat to Wasps.

The starting line-up is also bolstered by the return of fellow England internationals Georgina Roberts, Rachael Woosey and Heather Kerr.