The Falcons boss, who has guided the northeasterners to the final by virtue of a 21 game winning streak in the league coupled with victory over Leeds Carnegie in the play-off semi-final, is well aware of the dangers posed by Bedford.

“They are a very good side, and they have quality in their ranks throughout,” said Richards.

“It will be quite evenly matched in a lot of ways, so I think it will be a good fight for us,” he added.

Thursday’s clash will be the fourth meeting between the two teams with the Falcons tasting success on each of the three previous occasions.

Picking up a 29-20 triumph at Bedford earlier in the campaign, Richards’ men snatched a 17-15 win on home soil back in March before securing a place in the British and Irish Cup final last month with an 18-15 victory on the road.

Richards said: “The beauty about the game being over two legs is that whatever happens down there, the second leg is as equally important.

> “We will play as well as we can and hopefully come away with the
> points and carry it on up here, but if not then we have the chance to
> turn it around up here.”

FALCONS ANNOUNCE TICKET TO RIDE SCHEME

Newcastle Falcons, in partnership with LA Taxis, are pleased to announce their all new Ticket to Ride scheme. Simply purchase four tickets to a home game starting with the upcoming RFU Championship final against Bedford on 29 May and the Falcons will pay towards your taxis to and from the game.

To find out more and to make your booking contact the Falcons Taxi Line on 0191 214 2819 and give the team the details of your pick up and drop off. Our Ticket Office team will let you know the full fare as well as the Falcons contribution; once agreed, the balance of your journey can be added to your ticket purchase. Your taxi will then be booked and confirmed to you by text message.

The Falcons’ contribution to each taxi booking will be dependent on the mileage of your journey and on the number and value of tickets purchased. For example, four fans buying South Stand tickets for the game and booking a return taxi journey from Gosforth would typically see the whole cost of their journey covered by the club.

Meanwhile, booking a return taxi journey from Morpeth would typically cost around £38 through LA Taxis. However, on purchasing four South Stand tickets to the game the Falcons will contribute £20 to the cost of your journey.

Falcons sales and marketing director Duncan Edward said: “We are trying to make a trip to the Falcons as accessible as possible and the link up with LA Taxis is another example of the work we are doing in that field.

“The Ticket to Ride scheme is fantastic, taking away the pressure of driving to the game and parking up, or of trying to work out public transport timetables. It means that anyone who wants to have a drink at the game can do so without having to choose a designated driver, and that those who want to stick around after the final whistle can do so without having to worry about missing the last bus home.

“Particular thanks go to our partners for this scheme, LA Taxis, who have been a great help in helping us devise a scheme that we believe works well for everyone involved.”

Rob Armstrong of LA Taxis said: “We’ve been involved with the Falcons for a number of years, sponsoring players and supporting the club throughout all of their ups and downs.

“We are proud to have found a scheme that we believe works for everyone involved and which we hope will help increasing numbers of fans make the journey to and from Kingston Park to help cheer on the Falcons as they continue to push for promotion back to the Premiership and beyond.”

The Ticket to Ride scheme will launch at the home leg of the Championship play-off final against Bedford Blues on Wednesday 29 May.

To find out more and to make your booking contact the Falcons Taxi Line on 0191 214 2819 and give the team the details of your pick up and drop off. Our Ticket Office team will let you know the full fare as well as the Falcons contribution; once agreed, the balance of your journey can be added to your ticket purchase. Your taxi will then be booked and confirmed to you by text message.