News
MATCH FOCUS | Campaign begins at Coventry
Bedford Blues will be looking for a first victory in Coventry for over a decade when they make the relatively short trip to the West Midlands under the Friday Night Lights on opening night of 2022/23 Championship Rugby (KO 7:45pm).
You can still buy tickets direct from our hosts for this fixture, click here to join us at Butts Park Arena.
Big Game Preview
Mike Rayer’s charges will be looking for a perfect start to the campaign when going in search of an opening day victory for the first time since 2019, while also trying to achieve a first success at Butts Park Arena since October 2008.
With so much continuity remaining from last season, the squad impressed in pre-season performances against Rotherham and Northampton and will be looking to replicate that form into competitive action. Full Team News comes at 12pm on Thursday.
Alex Rae’s Coventry lost two Championship stalwarts over the summer, Ryan Burrows and former Blue Phil Boulton, but got their recruitment drive completed early and were one of the first clubs back in training earlier this Summer. They faced a variety of different tests in pre-season, hosting Merthyr, Birmingham Moseley and Bath.
We’ve Met Before
Bedford have only faced Northampton Saints (211) on more occasions than Coventry, with the two old rivals contesting 182 previous encounters since a first meeting in 1894. Coventry hold the better record overall with 109 victories to Bedford’s 61, while there have been 12 draws.
Blues have come out on top in the two most notable meetings, however, securing a 13-6 RFU Club Competition Semi-Final victory at Goldington Road in 1975 on their way to national trophy success, alongside the thrilling 15-try 53-52 success in January 2019.
Matchday Coverage
If you’re not heading with us to the BPA, we’ve got you covered! Continue to show your support by joining in the conversation on matchday. Send us your photos and messages using #BluesFamily across all our social media platforms.
Head to Twitter for our live feed and much more, including post-game video features and the result of the Followers Man of the Match award. Pre-game checkout our Instagram channel for live content as the teams arrive.
Don’t forget, tickets remain available from our hosts simply by clicking here.
