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Alex Day named Bedford Blues captain
Bedford Blues are proud to announce that Alex Day has been announced as the Club’s captain for the 2022/23 Championship campaign.
Stepping into the role for the first-time last weekend as Blues concluded their pre-season preparations against Northampton Saints, Day has been an ever present since his permanent arrival at Goldington Road 12 months ago and has been one of the most Championship’s most dependable operators over a number of years.
With over 100 second-tier games already under his belt, the 29-year-old has consistently added real leadership and quality to Mike Rayer’s side; and will relish the new role next term.
No player made more appearances for the club than the scrum-half’s total of 23 last season, in which he chipped in with two tries, to add to the four games he played in a previous stint on loan in 2019.
On becoming captain, Day said: “I’m incredibly proud to have been asked by Mike to lead the team next season. It’s a massive honour particularly as Bedford is such a prestigious and well-respected club, there’s a huge history here at Goldington Road and I can’t wait for the new season.
“I’ve been lucky throughout my career to have played with a lot of good captains and leaders, names such as Dylan Hartley, Lee Dickson and Owen Farrell. Added to that there’s a lot of players with real good leadership qualities within the squad here already so hopefully I’ll be able to combine all that and lead by example from the front.
“We’re all desperate for a good season and look forward to making many more special memories as a group and I’m sure we’ll have the #BluesFamily right behind us.”
Starting his career in the Northampton Saints Academy, Day showed his potential from a young age, helping England U20s win back-to-back Six Nations titles in 2012 and 2013 before adding the IRB Junior World Championships to his collection.
Several appearances for the Saints ‘A’ side and a beneficial dual-reg at Moseley saw Day make his Northampton first-team debut in November 2013, going on to make 11 appearances in total over the next two years including his Premiership debut, studying under the expert tutelage of former Blues captain, Lee Dickson.
Not content with playing second fiddle, Day moved to Cornish Pirates in 2015 in search of regular game time and over the course of the next four years was a mainstay down at The Mennaye and led the team as captain on numerous occasions, making 114 appearances and being named Players’ Player of the Year in 2017/18.
Signed by Saracens the following season, Day made further Premiership appearances during his time at the club. Unfortunately, game time was limited due to competition from the likes of Richard Wigglesworth, Aled Davies and Tom Whiteley so he moved to Bedford ready for the 2021/22 campaign.
Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer added: “Alex has been a great lad to have around the environment since he joined. There are several candidates around our core group who have strong leadership credentials, and will no doubt assume the captaincy role from time to time, and who Alex can lean on throughout the season.
“What makes him the obvious choice to me, nevertheless, is that he has done this role previously at Cornish Pirates, has great natural charisma and is a great communicator in the changing rooms and on the pitch.”
