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TEAM NEWS | Squad named for Derby Day
Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues prepare to contest the first of four scheduled Derby Days against Ampthill this season, entertaining the Mob at Goldington Road under the Friday Night Lights (KO 7:45pm).
There’s not too much for either side to learn about the other with this the 17th meeting across a five-year period in competitive and friendly action, with both teams having their moments in this fixture over that time – currently deadlocked at eight wins apiece.
The two sides averaged 50 points from league and cup meetings last season, with another humdinger expected in-front of a large attendance at Goldington Road. To read more about the BIG game, our online matchday programme is available by clicking here.
For the game, which sees both searching for their first win in this year’s cup pool phase, Rayer makes nine changes to the Starting XV compared to last weekend’s trip to Bristol.
Five of those alterations come up-front including a full front-row change plus the inclusions of Jac Arthur and Fred Tuilagi.
Club captain Alex Day returns at scrum-half, while Joel Matavesi and Louis James are both chosen to start having made injury returns off the bench last time out.
Matt Worley is one of five players unavailable for selection this week, having been called up to the Hong Kong squad for their Autumn Nations Series double header against Brazil.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Alfie Garside, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Jamie Jack, 2. James Fish, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Rory Ward, 5. George Smith, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Tommy Herman, 17. Joey Conway, 18. Beltus Nonleh, 19. Shay Kerry, 20. Joe Howard, 21. James Lennon, 22. Michael Le Bourgeois, 23. Will Glister
Unavailable For Selection:
Alex Woolford, Cameron King, Jamie Elliott, Pat Tapley, Matt Worley
