TEAM NEWS | Squad named for Coventry

Posted: 19th April 2024
 

Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues look for an immediate response when they travel to face Coventry on Saturday (KO 3pm).

Still time to back the boys on the road; purchase discounted tickets here.

Always an intense battle between two old rivals, Bedford have only faced Northampton Saints on more occasions than Coventry throughout history, with this the 188th competitive meeting between the sides.

Looking more recently, they have met five times in the past 18 months, averaging just over 50 points per game in that time, and backed by a strong attendance all eyes will be set on another entertaining tussle.

As Blues prepare to head to Butts Park Arena, Rayer makes five changes to the Starting XV which started the Derby Day home fixture against Ampthill last weekend.

Louis Grimoldby and Jamie Elliott come into the backs division, as Michael Le Bourgeois reverts to full-back to accommodate Elliott partnering Joel Matavesi in the centres.

The remaining three alterations come up-front as Emeka Atuanya is ruled out with the shoulder injury sustained at Goldington Road; Robin Williams replaces him in the engine room.

There is a shuffle in the back row as Jac Arthur and Joe Howard are this time chosen to join Luke Frost.

Venter is the only player alongside Atuanya on the treatment table as Rayer goes for the more familiar 5:3 split on the bench for the first time in over two months.  

Bedford Blues Starting XV:

15. Michael Le Bourgeois, 14. Sean French, 13. Jamie Elliott, 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Louis Grimoldby, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Bryan O’Connor, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Joe Howard

Bedford Blues Replacements:

16. Jacob Fields, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Oisin Heffernan, 19. Jordan Onojaife, 20. Kieran Curran, 21. James Lennon, 22. Will Maisey, 23. Ewan Baker