News
TEAM NEWS | Squad named for Nottingham
Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues look to end 2023 from a home perspective on a strong footing when they entertain Nottingham at Goldington Road this Saturday (KO 3pm).
Billed as having the potential to be one of the most exciting Championship battles in recent seasons, the two sides head into the contest in free scoring try form with 86 dotted down accumulatively at this early stage.
The fixture marks 130 years since the first meeting between Bedford and Nottingham, and it’s the perfect Christmas Cracker to bring the curtain down on proceedings at Goldington Road for another year.
For the game, the Starting XV shows two changes from that which would have taken to the field two weeks ago at Caldy before the late cancellation due to a frozen pitch.
Luke Frost makes a welcome return from injury to partner Robin Williams in the second row, with Tom Lockett returning back to Northampton Saints for their European exploits. Jamie Elliott also comes back in from the off.
Among the replacements, Robbie Smith features in a Blues matchday squad for the first time since March 2020 having headed back across from Saints for Saturday’s fixture.
The other notable news sees first starts for Archie McParland and Henry Pollock, plus first minutes of the campaign for Kayde Sylvester.
Ethan Grayson and Jacob Fields remain on the treatment table longer term, while Alex Woolford has returned to training and is near full fitness.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Jamie Elliott, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Archie McParland; 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish (C), 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Luke Frost, 6. Joe Howard, 7. Henry Pollock, 8. Cameron King
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Robbie Smith, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Bryan O’Connor, 19. Jordan Onojaife, 20. Kayde Sylvester, 21. Kieran Curran, 22. Alex Day, 23. Louis Grimoldby
