TEAM NEWS | Squad named for Penzance voyage

Posted: 28th August 2025
 

Mike Rayer has named a 27-man squad as Bedford Blues prepare for their second outing of pre-season with the trip down to Penzance to face Champ Rugby counterparts Cornish Pirates under the Friday Night Lights (KO 7:30pm).

Tickets still available from our hosts if you’re down in Cornwall this weekend; alternatively you can watch the game for FREE via a live stream on YouTube.

While a 51st meeting between the sides, this holds the rarity of being the first ever meeting on a Friday, and just like London buses two come along at once with another evening meeting at Mennaye Field in league action in December.

The two sides average just over 50 points per battle, with 121 shared last season, and another exciting clash is in prospect as both look to kick on in their respective pre-season preparations.

Bedford’s Starting XV shows five changes from the side which took to the field two weeks ago in the Deano Testimonial Match against Blackheath.

Club captain and former Pirate, Alex Day returns as the only backs change, while there are four alterations up-front. Fred Tuilagi and James Fish come in, while there are first starts in blue for Sonny Tonga’uiha and Archie Hosking.

Among the replacements, Rafe Witheat is in line for his first minutes of pre-season having not been risked in the Blackheath game following injury over the Summer. Northampton Saints youngster Archie Appleby makes a first appearance in club colours.

Bedford Blues Starting XV:

15. Louis James, 14. Ryan Hutler, 13. George Worth, 12. Lucas Titherington, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Jamie Jack, 2. James Fish, 3. Sonny Tonga’uiha, 4. Rory Ward, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Kayde Sylvester, 7. Archie Hosking, 8. Fred Tuilagi

Bedford Blues Replacements:

Tommy Herman, Joey Conway, Oisin Heffernan, Archie Appleby, Charlie Ulcoq, Nicholas Finch, Tui Uru, James Lennon, Tom Price, Billy Pasco, Rafe Witheat, Joe Hill