Newcastle recruit Andrew Mower believes the Falcons can withstand an inevitable physical onslaught from Premiership champions Leicester at Kingston Park tomorrow.

Both clubs are unbeaten following round one of the league season, Newcastle defeating European champions Northampton last Sunday and Leicester pinching an injury-time verdict over Wasps.

While the Falcons go into battle deprived of injured scrum-half Gary Armstrong, Australian flanker Mower predicts his team-mates will relish the occasion.

``We are keen to get on with it,'' said the 24-year-old Sydney-born forward, a summer signing from London Irish.

``Starting the season with a win took some of the pressure off us. ``And we've now had two very physical games against Northampton and Leeds, in a friendly, which should make Leicester easier to cope with.''

Mower, a try-scorer on his debut when Newcastle beat the Saints 27-21, could find himself gaining international recognition should he maintain impressive early-season form.

A Scottish grandfather, Welsh grandmother and English parents have given him plenty of options, although Falcons' Scotland link through Armstrong, John Leslie and Doddie Weir might prove a key factor.

With Armstrong sidelined nursing a cracked jaw, Newcastle hand 20-year-old Huw Charlton the scrum-half jersey, while centre Tom May returns from suspension and Liam Botham starts in his favoured right wing position.

Leicester, deprived of fly-half Andy Goode's services for six weeks due to a leg injury, can call on Austin Healey as his replacement, with Charlton's England Under-21 rival James Grindal the probable scrum-half.

Bath's hopes of bolstering their front-row resources by recruiting Llanelli prop Simon Emms look to have failed, at least for the time being.

And it is another potential blow for the West Country club, who missed out on Cardiff's Welsh international prop Andrew Lewis this summer before Kevin Yates decided to stay in New Zealand amid rumours of a Recreation Ground return.

Former Bristol loose-head Emms is currently under contract at Stradey Park, and Scarlets officials have moved quickly to dismiss suggestions he had signed for Bath.

Emms is under contract until May next year, and he will only be allowed to leave if or when Llanelli find a suitable replacement.

David Barnes and John Mallett fill the prop positions tomorrow when Bath tackle Wasps at Loftus Road.

And while Bath are on the rebound from a 33-32 defeat against Sale, Wasps have spent all week wondering how they let Leicester steal a last-gasp win.

Having clawed back a 14-point deficit to lead 22-17, Wasps waved Healey through a huge defensive gap, allowing Tim Stimpson the simple, match-winning conversion.

``We dominated the second-half, but we've got to be a little bit more steetwise,'' said Wasps prop Will Green, acting captain while Lawrence Dallaglio recovers from a groin injury.

``The feeling after the game was one of total frustration, but we've got to bounce straight back against Bath, who are another top side.''

Full-back Jon Ufton (knee ligaments) will not play again this season after being hurt during the Leicester defeat, joining Dallaglio, Trevor Leota, Alex King and Peter Scrivener on the sidelines.

And given Ufton's absence, Josh Lewsey could be moved from the right wing to cover, allowing Shane Roiser a starting place.