Carnegie Call

I think they are a very good side who play with the right attitude. They look to use the ball and get it out wide to create try scoring chances and that bodes well for a good game on Sunday. The game at their place was one of our best performances of the season but I think we are better now however we have to be because everyone in the division has got stronger as the season has gone on. Bedford will come here looking to consolidate their position on the top two and both teams will be looking to build momentum with just three games after Sunday to go in the regular season.

HOW IS YOUR SQUAD SHAPING UP?

We are in good shape at present and we have put the week off last week to good use. We have been able to refocus on what we need to achieve in the next few weeks. We have made a couple of changes to the side this week as we look to reward those who have been working hard in training but not had much game time recently. Lee Blackett returns for Michael Stephenson, who is rested, whilst we welcome back our skipper Andy Titterrell after he returned from his brief spell at Sale Sharks. Chris Walker is not available under the agreement with the RFU that covers Under 20 players so Richard Beck gets his chance to impress in the back row after a number of impressive appearances off the bench recently.

HAVE YOU FINISHED YOUR RECRUITMENT NOW?

Yes, the Championship transfer deadline has now passed and this group of players will now take us forward. We are happy with the squad we have assembled and we are pleased to have brought Ed Williamson and Halani Aulika in this week to bolster the squad. We will have a discussion with Leicester after the Six Nations are over as to whether George Ford may be available to us if he is not able to secure game time at Welford Road but there is a lot of rugby to be played between now and then. We have every confidence that this group of players can achieve our goal this season. The fact that the transfer deadline has passed has been a bit of a relief as we have been working hard on our recruitment. We now know the squad that we have for the remainder of the season and look forward with confidence.