More to come from Bedford Blues, says Brendan Burke

Burke has also played for Rotherham and Leinster

Bedford Blues full-back Brendan Burke believes his side, who sit third in the Championship, are still yet to hit their stride this season.

The Blues host second-placed London Welsh on Friday looking to close the three-point gap between the teams.

Burke, 29, told BBC Three Counties Radio: "I don't think we've played our best rugby yet, which is a good sign.

"We're chipping away, not playing great rugby but just doing enough to keep ourselves ahead at the moment."

Irishman Burke, in his fourth season at Goldington Road, came off the bench in Sunday's win at Nottingham for his first appearance since damaging knee ligaments three weeks ago.

Mike Rayer's men have only been beaten once at home this term, by table-toppers Worcester.

We are at home and have a good record here so we have got to back ourselves in front of our own crowd

Blues boss Mike Rayer

"At the start of the season we said we wanted a 100% record at home, losing to Worcester at our place was disappointing," Burke said.

"But we've looked at Welsh and I think we've found some weaknesses and fingers crossed we can exploit those."

Both sides go into the clash off the back of good wins, with Bedford overcoming Nottingham 24-13 at Meadow Lane and the Exiles turning over Bristol 39-14 at home last week.

Rayer said: "London Welsh are without doubt the form team in the Championship and we had three very tough and very close games against them in the league and cup last season.

"You only have to look at their record for this season to see that we face a massive challenge.

"Having said that, we are at home and have a good record here so we have got to back ourselves in front of our own crowd. It should all add up to a very intriguing and exciting affair."

Bedford Blues team to face London Welsh: Thrower; Dodge, Bedford, Vass, Pritchard (c); Dorrian, Veenendaal; Walsh, Clark, Seal, Howard, Rae, Gillanders, Harding, Wray.
Replacements: Richmond, Boulton, Tomes, Goodman, Chudley, Walshe, Burke.