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Jack Hughes agrees to stay in 22/23
Hooker Jack Hughes will spend a third season as part of the #BluesFamily having agreed terms to remain at Goldington Road for the 2022/23 Championship campaign.
The 21-year-old was one of the standout performers in the team last season – scoring seven tries in 22 appearances – as he profited from managing to put a sustained run of games together for the first time in his senior career.
His versatility also shone through when required, helping cover the back row towards the end of last season when several injuries caused problems in that department.
On agreeing to stay in Bedford, Hughes said: “I’m delighted to be staying and hopefully I can kick on next year. I’ve got to prove to Mike that last year wasn’t a one off, I know I need to back it up again with my performances on the field.
“As a group, we’re all excited about what we can achieve. Team spirit is a hugely undervalued thing and we’ve got that here, which I think will massively help us next season. We know there’s something special within this group and hopefully that’ll reflect in results.
“On a personal level, next season I’m focused on trying to get as many games as I can at hooker and trying to push towards being the number one in the position.”
Hughes, sponsored by Burman Plant, first arrived at Goldington Road on dual registration from Northampton Saints for the truncated 2021 Championship campaign, contributing five appearances and a clever try away at Nottingham.
His game time increased significantly last season, with Hughes adapting impeccably, concluding the campaign as the highest scoring forward including an absolute cracker in the Festive fixture vs London Scottish at Goldington Road.
He will be looking to continue his upwards trajectory again next season with a strong chance of reaching 50 Blues appearances during the 22/23 campaign.
Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer added: “Jack has been remarkable really because I don’t think anyone knew what position he was meant to be playing! He converted to hooker at Saints but through COVID didn’t get a lot of opportunity.
“Since coming here he’s been so consistent and durable. That’s what I like about Jack and he’s an incredible character in the changing room. I’ve said it many times before that I can sign rugby players all day long, but I can’t sign characters, they just happen, and Jack is definitely one of them.
“Jack does have that versatility to play in the back row as well and that is another reason we were keen to keep hold of him.”
