TEAM NEWS | Mobbs Memorial Match

Posted: 5th April 2023
 

Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues look to end this current format of the Mobbs Memorial Match in style at Goldington Road as they face The British Army tomorrow night (7:45pm).

Tickets for the match – which is preceded by Bedford Modern School 1st XV v OBM XV from 5:30pm – are available online by clicking here with Adults £10; Kids £2.

This current format of the fixture has seen Blues battle the Army in alternating years since 2011 and tomorrow sees the eighth and final meeting between the pair.

Always a thrilling spectacle – celebrating the life of the great former Bedford, Northampton and England legend, Lt Col Edgar Mobbs – Blues will be looking to maintain their strong recent record in the fixture.

For the game, Rayer has chosen to blend youth and experience as he pulls together a 24-player squad composed of Blues first-team, Northampton Saints academy and a select number of trialists.

With this an RFU affiliated fixture, and therefore counting in competitive match appearances, a total of nine players will make their Bedford Blues debut on the night while edging others closer to notable milestones.

Having covered the position previously during his time at Goldington Road, Jack Hughes switches from his traditional front row position and will help compose a back row that also contains Charles Rylands and Geordie Irvine.

Alex Woolford is set to make a welcome return from a five-month injury layoff having been named among the replacements, as has Osman Dimen who featured for Welsh invitational side, Crawshays recently to begin his own return to play protocols.

Jamie Elliott will lead the side out as captain.

The British Army are expected to announce their 24-player squad later today.

Bedford Blues Starting XV:

15. Seán French, 14. Frankie Sleightholme, 13. Jamie Elliott (C), 12. Toby Thame, 11. Pat Tapley, 10. Louis Grimoldby, 9. Gavin Williams (Ampthill); 1. Monty Royston, 2. Callum Burns, 3. Corrie Barrett, 4. Emeka Atuanya, 5. Obinna Nkwocha (Saracens), 6. Jack Hughes, 7. Charles Rylands, 8. Geordie Irvine

Bedford Blues Replacements:

16. Craig Wright, 17. Lewis Holsey, 18. Osman Dimen, 19. Alex Woolford, 20. Andy Ince (Bedford Athletic), 21. David Holdroyd (Cambridge University), 22. Matt Arden, 23. Arche Kean, 24. Toby Cousins