TEAM NEWS | Seven changes as Pirates sail into town

Posted: 18th February 2022
 

Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues look to continue momentum and secure a first home victory of the year when they host Cornish Pirates tomorrow (KO 3pm).

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Buoyed by a performance full of character and determination last weekend to secure a first victory away at league leaders, Ealing since 2015 and will look to topple another of the Championship’s top four.

Director of Rugby, Rayer has faced Pirates more than any other club since taking the helm at Goldington Road, contesting 41 matches meaning both sides will know plenty about the other ahead of Saturday’s fixture.

For the contest, Rayer makes seven changes including a first start for Reuben Bird-Tulloch since his return to Goldington Road from Ealing Trailfinders. Elsewhere in the backs division, the rotation of the scrum half jersey continues with Alex Day this time chosen to start.

In the forwards pack, there are a further five alterations of which there is a completely different front row as Osman Dimen returns to start a game for the first time since December while Jacob Fields and Joey Conway are also chosen from the off.

There is one change in both the second row and back row as Luke Frost and Tui Uru are named in the Starting XV.

The injury list is reducing with just Will Biggs, Josh Pieterse and Will Maisey currently on the treatment table.

Bedford Blues Starting XV:

15. Rich Lane (C), 14. Matt Worley, 13. Reuben Bird-Tulloch, 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Louis Grimoldby, 9. Alex Day; 1. Joey Conway, 2. Jack Hughes, 3. Osman Dimen, 4. Luke Frost, 5. Jordan Onojaife, 6. Bailey Ransom, 7. Ollie Newman, 8. Tui Uru

Bedford Blues Replacements:

16. Jack Hughes, 17. Corrie Barrett, 18. Ed Prowse, 19. Oli Stedman, 20. Robin Williams, 21. Joe Atkinson, 22. Connor Tupai, 23. Jamie Elliott