News
TEAM NEWS | Seven changes for Coventry cup clash
Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues look to re-ignite their Championship Cup campaign when old rivals Coventry head to Goldington Road under the Friday Night Lights (KO 7:45pm).
Buy discounted tickets online here and join us tomorrow at Goldington Road.
Aside from Northampton Saints, Bedford have faced Coventry on more occasions than any other side with this the 184th meeting between the two sides with the largest support in the Championship.
That means it’s set to be a bumper crowd as both sides look for their first victory in the group phase of the Championship Cup following defeat on the road last weekend against London Scottish and Doncaster Knights respectively.
As Blues look to maintain strong home form following three bonus point victories already at Goldington Road, Rayer makes seven changes to the side from the opening round of the competition last weekend.
There are four changes in the backs division, including on both wings as Dean Adamson has shaken off the minor niggle that kept him out at London Scottish, while Tom Litchfield returns to the fold for his first minutes in a Blues jersey this season.
Ethan Grayson and Will Maisey also come back into the Starting XV to line up alongside each other in the 10-12 partnership for the first time this season.
The remaining three changes come in the forwards, two of which in the front row as Jack Hughes and Corrie Barrett return to pack down alongside Lewis Holsey. Jordan Onojaife is also chosen to start tomorrow night.
Among the replacements, Bedford welcome Aston Gradwick-Light into the #BluesFamily with the young hooker heading across from Northampton Saints and in line for his first minutes in the second tier.
Elsewhere, Osman Dimen makes a welcome return from the foot injury that has kept him out of action so far this season.
Louis Grimoldby and Tom Lockett both miss out as part of their concussion protocol, while Jacob Fields is closing in on a return but remains unavailable this weekend.
Matt Worley remains on international duty with Hong Kong.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. George Hendy, 14. Tom Litchfield, 13. Jamie Elliott (C), 12. Ethan Grayson, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Jake Garside; 1. Lewis Holsey, 2. Jack Hughes, 3. Corrie Barrett, 4. Jordan Onojaife, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Charles Rylands, 8. Tui Uru
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Aston Gradwick-Light, 17. Monty Royston, 18. Osman Dimen, 19. Robin Williams, 20. Geordie Irvine, 21. Alex Day, 22. Michael Le Bourgeois, 23. Seán French
