Barbarians back Brad Davis and Northampton Saints' back-rower Paul Tupai are the latest two signings for Bedford.

Versatile Davis, who represented the Baa-Baas against the Blues in the Mobbs Memorial Match back in March, has joined from Plymouth Albion, while Samoan Tupai's arrival has now also been confirmed.

Fans though will be sad to see the back of the likes of skipper Matt Allen and Jon Phillips, who have been released.

Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer admitted he had to let the seasoned pros go as he is in the process of building a new team for the next two years, ahead of the anticipated RFU league restructuring at the end of the 2009/10 season.

He said: "I'm not saying these guys couldn't have done a job and soldiered on. But we're in a situation where we need to be looking at a two-year cycle.

"They wanted another year and I just felt the time was right to move now and avoid us being in this position next year and having to build a brand new side for what is going to be one of the most important seasons in the club's history, because if you are outside that top 10 in two years, you could be history."

Rayer added he was pleased with his latest two recruits and that more signing announcements are on the horizon.

He said: "Things are really ticking over nicely now in terms of player recruitment for next year, we're fairly happy with the way it's gone and we're not too far away from naming a couple more as well finalising the loan players from Leicester and Northampton as well.

"The Tupai deal took a bit longer than we anticipated, but Brad kind of emerged late on really and the fact he's a number 10 fitted in with what we want behind the scrum. He's played at 12 this season as well as 15 for the Baa-Baas against us, so there's a bit of versatility there, but primarily we're looking to play him at 10."

>> Mouritz Botha was named the Blues supporters' player of the year at the annual ball on Saturday.

Scrum-half Karl Dickson came second and flanker Nic Strauss, winner two years ago, was third.