MacDonald is back to hand Leeds boost as they tackle Bedford

The under-achieving Yorkshire club head to Goldington Road to take on Bedford knowing nothing other than victory will keep alive their promotion hopes.

“We knew we had to beat Bedford, Cornish Pirates and Rotherham to reach the semi-finals, and nothing has changed,” said head coach Diccon Edwards, whose side have drawn two and lost one of their opening three games.

That second draw came at home to Bedford six days ago, when they let a golden chance to claim victory slip through their grasp.

Edwards said: “The challenge now is to make sure that we stay at that level of performance this week at Bedford and improve in small areas to make sure we finish our chances off.

“Bedford are a very good side who play a good brand of rugby that is good to watch.

“They are entertaining but, on the flip side, that presents us with opportunities.

“They are happy to run the ball from inside their own half which is good to see and they can punish you if you are not ready to match that level of performance.

“We scored two tries on the back of errors and that is an outlet for us but we also want to create our own opportunities as well.”

USA international MacDonald comes back into the side after missing the last eight games with a hand injury.

MacDonald is one of three changes to the starting line-up.

Leading points accumulator Tommy Bell returns from illness at full-back allowing Stevie McColl to revert to the wing in place of Lee Blackett, who is among the replacements.

McColl scored two tries on the wing when Leeds won at Goldington Road back in October.

In the centres, Jordan Davies makes only his third start for the club for the injured Scott Barrow.

On the bench, there are a further two changes. Scott Freer replaces Phil Nilsen as the replacement hooker while England Under-20s captain Chris Walker – who this week signed a new contract at the club – comes in for his club and England team-mate Dominic Barrow.

Bedford’s director of rugby Mike Rayer said: “Walking away from Headingley last week with two points was a real bonus given the way Leeds dominated for large parts. Our defence had to work overtime but you can’t buy the spirit that the players showed. We had to dig deep.

“We are at home and need to make it count and if last week’s second half is anything to go by then I’m sure we are in for a cracking game of rugby.”