News
TEAM NEWS | Blues prepare to conclude pre-season
Mike Rayer has named a 27-man squad as Bedford Blues look to end their pre-season preparations on a strong footing when they travel to Premiership champions, Northampton Saints tomorrow night (KO 7:45pm).
After two encouraging run outs on home soil, Blues will look to continue momentum on their travels ready for the big Championship kick-off next week, starting on home soil v Caldy (Sat 21 Sep – KO 3pm).
The game forms the first instalment of the newly revamped Mobbs Memorial Match, which honours Saints legend, World Rugby Hall-of-Fame inductee, and World War One hero, Edgar Mobbs – who made two guest appearances for Bedford in the early 1900s.
Blues claimed the bragging rights at Goldington Road 12 months ago with a hard-fought 33-24 victory, but know it’ll be an altogether different challenge away from home tomorrow – a Bedford side hasn’t tasted success in Northampton since 1994.
For the game, Rayer has decided to rotate his squad with seven changes compared to last weekend in the valiant performance against another Premiership opposition, Saracens.
There is a full front row change as Nathan Langdon is handed a first start in Blues colours, scrummaging down in between starting props Joey Conway and Oisin Heffernan. Cameron King is also chosen from the off, completing a quadruple forwards alteration.
In the backs division, Matt Worley is in for a first start of pre-season in the full-back jersey, while there are also changes in the half-backs with Will Maisey and James Lennon selected to start.
Among the replacements, Shay Kerry is in line for a debut having recovered from the ankle problem which has troubled the second row since arrival this Summer from Australia.
Archie Benson is also in line for a first Bedford appearance, while backs duo Will Glister and Toby Cousins are expected to get inaugural minutes of the season.
Joe Howard continues his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury. James Fish and Alex Day are also unavailable for selection this week.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Matt Worley, 14. Alfie Garside, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. James Lennon; 1. Joey Conway, 2. Nathan Langdon, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Rory Ward, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Cameron King
Bedford Blues Replacements:
Jamie Jack, Tommy Herman, Bryan O’Connor, Shay Kerry, Archie Benson, Fred Tuilagi, Jake Garside, Will Glister, Joel Matavesi, Jamie Elliott, Toby Cousins, Louis James
