News
Joe Howard joins Bedford
Bedford Blues are pleased to announce the arrival of highly rated back row forward, Joe Howard, who joins the club following another impressive campaign at fellow Championship competitors, Hartpury University.
The 22-year-old was a mainstay in John Barnes’ team again last season, making 28 appearances, and has stood out as one of the key performers in recent meetings with Bedford. He will now continue his rugby development at Goldington Road for the 23/24 campaign.
Speaking about joining the club, he said: “I felt it was the right time for a move and what club better to come to than one with as rich a history and as well supported as Bedford.
“I’ve won at Goldington Road before (with Hartpury) but lost here countless times too. It’ll be nice to have the crowd on my side next season because this is the best supported club in the Championship, and it is a challenge for visiting players.
“I can’t wait to get started and to wear the Bedford jersey for the first time.”
Capped at England U18 and U19 level, Howard had an interesting upbringing into the sport by featuring for Joondalup Brothers RUFC in Perth, Australia as well as KL Tigers RUFC in Malaysia during his initial pathway into the sport.
Experiencing English rugby for the first time, he linked up with the Gloucester Academy set-up while studying at nearby Hartpury, recently completing a Sports Business Management degree.
After captaining Gloucester’s U18s side to the 2018/19 Prem Rugby Academy League final, Howard was swiftly promoted into the first team set-up, making his club debut in the Premiership Cup in September 2019 before a top-flight debut a few months later.
Benefitting from the relationship between Gloucester and Hartpury, he spent time at the university on dual registration before signing permanently more recently. He departs Hartpury having made 44 appearances, many of which as captain, at the Midlands club.
In addition, Howard spent the past few months back in Perth, this time running out for Nedlands, and returned to link up with his new teammates on Monday.
Discussing the 26th member of the first-team men’s squad, Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer said: “Joe really stood out against us last season for Hartpury. His work rate in carrying and then getting in front of people in defence was what we liked most; no frills, just sheer graft. Added value will also come from the leadership skills he would have developed having led Hartpury last season.”
Howard goes straight into consideration for Friday’s opening pre-season friendly across the border against Swansea. Your first opportunity to see him on home soil is when Northampton Saints come calling on Saturday 26th August (KO 1:30pm). Buy tickets now for the BIG game.
