John Hardie, Sinoti Sinoti and Sean Robinson are the three players to make way, having both featured in the Falcons’ 38-3 victory away to Jersey Reds last time out.

Newcastle are currently 13 points clear at the top of the table having won all 21 games this season, line-out coach Scott MacLeod keen for them to build on an impressive showing over on the Channel Islands.

“I thought Jersey away was our best performance of the season,” said the Scottish international.

“We were up against the elements, it’s always a tough place to go and the boys knew they were in for a challenge. They stood up in every aspect, and it was great to see so few errors despite the conditions being incredibly difficult. Everyone was buzzing, the attitude was brilliant and we just want to continue along those lines for the rest of the season.”

The Falcons were made to work for the full 80 minutes when they last faced Bedford in November, grinding out an 11-6 victory in front of the Sky Sports cameras in atrocious weather at Goldington Road.

“It was a tough game down in Bedford and, while I never felt we were going to lose, it was certainly a close score-line,” said MacLeod.

“It wasn’t our best performance by any means – we tried to force things, we made a lot of mistakes and penalties were killing us because we kept on infringing.

“If we can play anywhere near as well as we did against Jersey it’ll be a huge help, because Bedford are a good side and it’ll be a test for us.

“They like to play an expansive brand of rugby so our pitch will suit them, and they’ll have hard runners around nine and ten. It’ll definitely be a decent game and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Hoping for more clement conditions for Friday’s 8pm kick-off, he added: “From a line-out perspective I’m just sick of this wind!

“I feel bad for the hookers having to try and throw in a gale every week, so hopefully we get some better weather and we can move things around a bit more.”

Tickets are available for Friday’s 8pm kick-off by [**clicking here**][1], calling 0871 226 6060 or visiting the Kingston Park box office in person. Book before game day to save £3 per ticket.

**Newcastle Falcons team to face Bedford Blues (Friday, 8pm, Kingston Park Stadium)**

15 Tom Arscott

14 Adam Radwan

13 Johnny Williams

12 Toby Flood

11 Ben Stevenson

10 Brett Connon

9 Michael Young (co-captain)

1 Trevor Davison

2 George McGuigan (co-captain)

3 Logovi’i Mulipola

4 Greg Peterson

5 Will Montgomery

6 Callum Chick

7 Will Welch

8 Philip van der Walt

**Replacements**

16 Charlie Maddison

17 Adam Brocklebank

18 Mike Daniels

19 Toby Salmon

20 Nemani Nagusa

21 Joel Hodgson

22 Gareth Owen

23 Tim Swiel

**Bedford Blues**

15 Rich Lane

14 Ryan Hutler

13 Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas

12 Lewis Robling

11 Matt Worley

10 Sam Leeming

9 Connor Tupai

1 Sean McCarthy (captain)

2 Robbie Smith

3 Alex Penny

4 Jordan Onojaife

5 Oli Curry

6 Dan Temm

7 Joe Atkinson

8 Alafoti Fa’osiliva

**Replacements**

16 Jacob Fields

17 Joe Wrafter

18 Henry Paul

19 Will Carrick Smith

20 Huw Worthington

21 Grayson Hart

22 Will Maisey

23 Fraser Strachan

**Referee:** Andrew Jackson.

[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/EDP/Event/Index/1490