SCOTT MacLeod expects Cornish Pirates to be out to prove a point when Newcastle Falcons attempt to extend their 100 per cent record in the South-West tomorrow.

Falcons make the long journey to Penzance having claimed a maximum 15 points from their opening three matches of the Championship season.

The Pirates are expected to be one of their closest challengers for promotion having fallen at the final hurdle last term when they lost to London Welsh in a two-legged play-off final.

The Cornish club have made a slow start to the current campaign, losing 29-17 to Bristol last weekend, and the Falcons squad anticipate something of a backlash tomorrow.

“Without wanting to sound big-headed, we are the team to beat in this league,” said MacLeod, a 25-time Scotland international who moved to Kingston Park from Japanese side Kobe Steelers this summer. “It's everyone's cup final when they play us so we are never going to have an easy game.

“I watched Cornish Pirates on TV against Bristol and thought it was a tight game. They are a team who did well last season. They don't have as big a pack as Doncaster (who Falcons beat last weekend), but they will cause us some problems in the scrum.

“It is always going to be a hard game down there, and they will be right up for it after the Bristol loss. But with us being relegated, everyone wants to get one over on us anyway.”

MacLeod made his first Falcons start in last weekend's 37-3 win over Doncaster, and after a frustrating spell on the sidelines in Japan, the experienced 33-year-old lock forward is delighted to be back in the thick of the action.

“It's good to be playing again,” he said. “I played the odd game in Japan, but with the foreign rule my game time was restricted because Kobe signed a couple more foreigners last season.

“It was a bit of a reality check in Japan, so coming here has been awesome for me, especially getting coached again by a top-class set-up. I know I am getting older now, but I am still eager to learn and I have always strived to get better.”

Falcons boss Dean Richards has made four changes to the side that beat Doncaster last weekend with Alex Crockett and Joel Hodgson getting the nod in the backline. Rob Vickers starts at hooker and Taiasina Tu'ifua returns to openside flanker after a two-week injury absence.

NEWCASTLE FALCONS: Gopperth, Fielden, Crockett, Tu'ipulotu, Catterick , Hodgson, Lawson; Golding, Vickers, Tomaszczyk, MacLeod, Hudson, Hogg, Tu'ifua, Mayhew.

Replacements: Thompson, Hall, del Fava, Wilson, Pasqualin, Helleur, Tait.