TEAM NEWS | Four changes for Derby Day

Posted: 12th April 2024
 

Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues prepare to contest their penultimate home fixture of the campaign tomorrow, when they entertain neighbours Ampthill at Goldington Road (KO 3pm).

Tickets still available for the BIG game with a £4 online discount; click here to secure yours today.

There’s not too much for either side to learn about the other with this the 15th meeting across a five-year period in competitive and friendly action, with both teams having their moments in this fixture over that time.

The two sides have averaged 48 points from the previous league and cup meetings already this season, with another humdinger expected in-front of a large attendance at Goldington Road.

For the game, which sees two of the Championship’s form sides go head-to-head, Rayer makes four changes to the Starting XV which battled to a hard-fought victory at Nottingham last time out.

As has been consistent all season, there is rotation of the prop jerseys as Joey Conway and Bryan O’Connor are chosen from the off to pack down alongside James Fish.

Henry Pollock completes a hat-trick of forwards alterations, starting in a Blues jersey for the first time since the reverse leg of this fixture just before Christmas.

Blues’ backline is boosted by the news that leading try scorer this season, Sean French has returned to full fitness, having sat out of Nottingham as a precaution. The Irishman slots back in on the right wing with Matt Worley and Michael Le Bourgeois returning to their more familiar jerseys having shuffled around last week.

Jordan Venter is the only injury absentee as he continues his rehabilitation from the knee knock sustained at Cambridge.

Bedford Blues Starting XV:

15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois, 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Bryan O’Connor, 4. Emeka Atuanya, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Henry Pollock, 8. Cameron King

Bedford Blues Replacements:

16. Jacob Fields, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Oisin Heffernan, 19. Robin Williams, 20. Joe Howard, 21. Jac Arthur, 22. James Lennon, 23. Louis Grimoldby