TEAM NEWS | Four Changes for Coventry Clash

Posted: 10th March 2022
 

Mike Rayer has named his team as Bedford Blues look to conclude their home 2021/22 Championship league campaign on the strongest possible footing, when historic rivals Coventry head to Goldington Road under the Friday Night Lights (KO 7:45pm).

Purchase match tickets here or if you can’t join us at Goldington Road, this game will be Live Streamed with passes available here.  

Aside from Northampton Saints, Bedford Blues have contested fixtures against their fellow East Midlands rivals more than any other with this the 182nd meeting since a first encounter in 1894.

With Blues back in the driving seat to finish the campaign in fifth position, Rayer has made four changes from the Nottingham victory two weeks ago and moves Matt Worley to full-back on his 50th competitive appearance to manage the absence of Rich Lane who recently joined Bristol on loan.  

Worley’s positional change sees Pat Tapley return to the starting side for the first time since January, while further backs alterations see Jamie Elliott restored to outside centre and the rotation of the scrum-half jersey continue as Connor Tupai is selected from the off.

There is just one change in the forwards pack which dominated proceedings at Lady Bay last time out as Alex Woolford – who returned from a two-month injury off the bench in that game – joins Jordan Onojaife in the second row.

Among the replacements, there is a welcome return for hooker Will Biggs who has been out since tearing his hamstring on the opening day of the season against Jersey Reds.

Elsewhere, James Little is in line for his Blues debut having joined on a short-term loan from Ealing Trailfinders.

Only Corrie Barrett is currently on the treatment table with the back injury sustained against Cornish Pirates last month.

In Lane’s absence, Joe Atkinson will deputise as captain and will lead the side out for the very first time.

Bedford Blues Starting XV:

15. Matt Worley, 14. Pat Tapley, 13. Jamie Elliott, 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Louis Grimoldby, 9. Connor Tupai; 1. Joey Conway, 2. Jacob Fields, 3. Ed Prowse, 4. Jordan Onojaife, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Joe Atkinson (C), 8. Tui Uru

Bedford Blues Replacements:

16. Will Biggs, 17. Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, 18. Osman Dimen, 19. Oli Stedman, 20. Ollie Newman, 21. Alex Day, 22. Will Maisey, 23. James Little