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TEAM NEWS | Two changes for Richmond
Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues prepare to head to the capital for the first time this season to contest an historic 75th meeting with Richmond tomorrow (KO 3pm).
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Blues travel to the Richmond Athletic Ground (RAG) looking to continue their recent run of good form, which sees them currently occupy a position in the Championship’s top four. However, following two defeats to Richmond last season, Rayer’s side will be firmly aware of the test from the home side.
Ahead of a three-week block of Championship Cup fixtures in upcoming weekends, both sides will be desperate to leave themselves in a decent place in the table and carry some momentum into the cup competition.
For the clash in South-West London, Rayer makes two changes to the side which secured a third consecutive Goldington Road victory in a real nail-biter against Hartpury University a week ago.
That sees one alteration in the forwards pack and the other in the backs division with a few positional alterations to suit the players coming back into the Starting XV.
Having recovered from injury enough to be among the replacements last weekend, Tui Uru is able to start from the off this time around and takes his familiar Number 8 jersey, with Jac Arthur moving into openside flanker.
Ethan Grayson misses the contest as part of his concussion protocols and is replaced in the side by Pat Tapley, who is one the most lethal players in this fixture with seven tries from his previous five encounters against Richmond – including a hat-trick in 2016.
Tapley’s inclusion on the right wing sees Sean French move to full-back and Michael Le Bourgeois move into outside centre. Jake Garside makes a welcome return on the replacements bench.
The injury list is reducing; however Jacob Fields, Osman Dimen and Matt Worley remain on the treatment table this weekend.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Sean French, 14. Pat Tapley, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois, 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. Jac Arthur, 8. Tui Uru
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Jack Hughes, 17. Lewis Holsey, 18. Corrie Barrett, 19. Tom Lockett, 20. Charles Rylands, 21. Jake Garside, 22. Louis Grimoldby, 23. Jamie Elliott
