London calling as Blues anticipate tough Welsh test

The Blues go in to the game on the back of a fantastic home victory against the Scarlets Select which secured them a home fixture in the quarter-finals of the British & Irish Cup.

Rayer said: “We lost against London Welsh at home but I’m not one to talk about revenge, we will play in different conditions, at a different stadium. We just need to focus on our performance going in to the game.

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s London Welsh in the Championship or Bristol in the B&I Cup, we focus on our performances and that’s all we can do.

“We’ve been experimenting with the team over the past five games, giving all players the opportunity to step up and it’s made it difficult coming down to the final squad selection but that’s a positive for us.”

Bedford have welcomed in the New Year with two impressive victories in the B&I Cup against two strong oppositions – Ulster A and Scarlets Select – but Rayer believes his squad can keep their impressive run of form going as they welcome back Championship action to Goldington Road with a tough fixture against the London Welsh.

Rayer added: “It was our intention to arrive at this stage with our best possible squad in mind and I think we’re close to that.”

He continued: “We have quality players in all areas and it’s tough sometimes to make a decision on some positions and that’s never a bad thing.

“Last Saturday definitely showed the strength available to us on the bench, it’s questionable that the bench turned the game around which secured us the victory”.

Bedford go in to the game without Joel Conlon who picked up a twisted ankle against the Scarlets Select last Saturday, but he should be set to return the following week.