News
Exciting prospect Charles Rylands joins for 2022/23
Bedford Blues are pleased to announce the signing of exciting young prospect Charles Rylands ahead of the 2022/23 Championship season.
The 21-year-old – who has just graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University – will begin his senior career with Mike Rayer’s side and brings a dynamic option at openside flanker.
On agreeing to join the club next season, Bedfordshire born Rylands said: “This is an exciting level of rugby to play at and I can’t wait to get going. I’ve had a good three years at Cardiff Met playing against fellow students and now I’m ready for the step up to the Championship.
“I used to go and watch the club all the time growing up, I remember the play-offs in 2013 travelling to Nottingham for that second leg and the atmosphere afterwards. Bedford means a lot to me and I’m proud to now be at the Blues.
“This is a great place to come and play rugby, I want to be a part of that trademark Bedford philosophy. I want to help continue making Goldington Road the best place to be on matchday.”
A former Blues Season Ticket holder, who grew up in the county, Rylands played his mini and junior rugby at Olney RFC before spending time in the Northampton Saints Academy set-up.
He moved to Cardiff to complete a Sports Analysis degree and played regularly for the university first-team throughout his studies, including a particularly impressive display in the BUCS Championship Semi-Final defeat to Exeter University.
Director of Rugby, Rayer added: “Charles was outstanding for Cardiff Met this year. I’ve spoken with Danny Milton at the University and Hoppers [Mark Hopley, Northampton Saints Head of Academy] and they’ve said some really positive things.
“I’ve been looking for a ‘leg chopper’ because we haven’t had too many of them and Charles is someone who can drop people on the gain line and enables others to get over the ball.
“I’ve watched Charles a couple of times and he did exactly what I was told he was going to do. He did the chopping, he got himself over the ball; particularly in the semi-final with lots of turnovers.
“It’s going to be a step up for him, but we’ll manage that. It’s a nice story that he’s local with the Olney link and it all fits in nicely. I’m excited by Charles and I think he’s potentially got a big future.”
