TEAM NEWS | Five changes ahead of Hartpury clash

Posted: 21st October 2022
 

Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues look to continue their strong home record to start the 2022/23 Championship campaign when they welcome Hartpury University to Goldington Road tomorrow (KO 3pm).

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A relatively new fixture with a first meeting in 2017 but not without its drama already, matches between Bedford and Hartpury average nearly 50 points a game, so it’s set to be another cracker tomorrow afternoon.

Both sides secured commanding away victories against each other last season, so Bedford will be aware of the threat posed by John Barnes’ side, who put in arguably the best away performance at Goldington Road last season.

For the 11th meeting between the two sides, Rayer makes five changes and is able to welcome a couple of members of the squad back into the fold for their first minutes of the season.

There is only one change in the backs division, but it brings about some positional alterations. Joel Matavesi is back in Bedford for the first time since May; he will start at inside centre while Michael Le Bourgeois moves to full-back.

In the forwards pack, there are four changes including a welcome return for Luke Frost who is back from concussion. Jac Arthur moves from blindside flanker into the Number 8 jersey to accommodate for Frost’s return and Kayde Sylvester returns at openside.

We welcome Ehren Painter into the #BluesFamily who starts at tighthead, while the changes are completed by James Fish coming in at hooker.

Among the replacements, Jamie Elliott also returns from injury. That leaves Monty Royston, Jacob Fields, Osman Dimen, Alex Woolford and Matt Worley on the treatment table.

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Bedford Blues Starting XV:

15. Michael Le Bourgeois, 14. Seán French, 13. Ethan Grayson, 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Ehren Painter, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Jordan Onojaife, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Kayde Sylvester, 8. Jac Arthur

Bedford Blues Replacements:

16. Jack Hughes, 17. Lewis Holsey, 18. Corrie Barrett, 19. Tom Lockett, 20. Tui Uru, 21. Louis Grimoldby, 22. Jamie Elliott, 23. Pat Tapley