News
TEAM NEWS | Squad named for Pirates
Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues look to make it back-to-back home victories when Cornish Pirates sail into Goldington Road tomorrow for a crunch 2nd v 4th Championship battle (KO 4pm).
The side which Rayer has faced the most since taking the reins at Bedford back in 2005, this will be the 48th encounter against Cornish Pirates in that timeframe with a recent average of 67.1 points per fixture when looking at the seven battles in the last two and a half seasons.
A superb attendance of 3,307 packed into Goldington Road last week for the visit of London Scottish under the lights, and another large support is expected as both sides look to strengthen their grip on the Championship’s Top Four.
For the game, Rayer elects to make four changes as he continues with his theme of rest and rotation.
There are two changes in the forwards pack and the same number in the backs division, including a return for Jamie Elliott at inside centre who makes his 50th appearance in Blues colours.
Will Maisey starts at fly-half as the 10 jersey again rotates.
Up front, Bryan O’Connor has recovered from the injury sustained at Doncaster to take the tighthead jersey, while Alex Woolford is inserted into the second row to complete the changes.
Michael Le Bourgeois misses the contest as part of his HIA return to play protocols, Oisin Heffernan sits out with the knock sustained against Scottish, and Jordan Onojaife makes it a hat-trick on the treatment table this time out.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Jordan Venter, 12. Jamie Elliott, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Bryan O’Connor, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Kieran Curran, 8. Joe Howard
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Jacob Fields, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Ed Prowse, 19. Geordie Irvine, 20. Cameron King, 21. Jac Arthur, 22. James Lennon, 23. Louis Grimoldby
