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York' Carnegie v Bedford Blues
Today, Kick-off 3pm, Headingley
CARNEGIE prop Marc Thomas says his side must cut Bedford off at source if they are to continue their winning record against the Blues.
All bar two of the Blues' 23 tries this term have come from their backs and that attack-minded approach is unlikely to change as they look to lay their Headingley bogey to rest.
Bedford have never won at the famous ground and are on a five-game losing streak against Carnegie in all competitions.
Thomas said: “They like to play a wide, expansive game so it means we, as a pack, need to try and dominate up front to make sure they don't have quick ball.
“Our scrum is starting to become more dominant. Beechy (Charlie Beech) has gone across to tighthead and he's done really well but as a pack, we're still a work in progress.”
Thomas signed from Ospreys this summer alongside Joe Buckle and George Watkins and is enjoying working with another Jersey old boy, forwards coach Steve Boden.
“I'm enjoying learning in training every week, but the most important thing is to be able to put that out on the field at the weekend,” said Thomas, who has started seven out of Carnegie's eight games. “Bodes knows the detail and hopefully I can benefit from that.”
Captain Richard Mayhew returns from the foot injury and is among the replacements while Ben West starts his first league game of the season.
Blues make seven changes to the team that defeated Ospreys with Chris Czekaj and Jordan Burns starting in the backs, while Sean McCarthy, George Edgson, Ben Cooper, Alex Rae and Jarad Williams return to the pack.
