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Joey Conway becomes first front rower to re-sign
Bedford Blues begin a third week of player announcements for the 2022/23 Championship campaign with confirmation of the first front row forward to re-commit his future as Joey Conway stays for a second season at Goldington Road.
The 24-year-old – sponsored by Woburn Country Foods – concluded his debut campaign in English rugby as the form loosehead in the second tier, chipping in with four tries post-Christmas to earn a nomination within the Championship Team of the Season conversation.
On continuing his stay in Bedford, Conway said: “Bedford has become my second home away from Ireland and ever since I first arrived 12 months ago, everyone has been so welcoming and took me under their wing – right the way from the coaching staff to my teammates.
“I do think I underestimated how difficult the Championship was going to be at the start. The first few months were quite difficult getting up to speed but once I adjusted to that, I felt I could really bring something to the team and hopefully I showed that in the latter parts of the season.
“Mike and Sean have worked with me a lot, giving me tips every week on how to keep on improving. Hopefully I can keep getting better next season and help push the team forwards.”
The former Ireland U20 international made the journey across the Irish Sea last year having spent time in the Munster age-grade set-up before more recently, captaining UL Bohemians.
One of just three players in the Blues squad to make a team high 23 appearances last term, Conway was pretty much an ever-present across the 2021/22 campaign amid stiff competition from Northampton Saints duo, Emmanuel Iyogun and Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi.
Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer added: “Joey does all the right things off the pitch, he prepares well and is always looking to improve.
“It was a bit of an eye opener for him early on with the scrummaging, but he sorted that out pretty quickly and, in my opinion, was the form loosehead towards the end of the season. He offers something different around the pitch.
“He’s a real modern-day loosehead and he’s got a big future ahead of him, I’m convinced of that.”
