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TEAM NEWS | Squad named for Derby Day Cup Clash
Mike Rayer has named a 29-man squad as Bedford Blues look to finish their pre-season exploits on the strongest possible footing when hosting neighbours, Ampthill at Goldington Road tomorrow (Kick Off 3pm).
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A 20th competitive meeting between the sides, there is now a trophy on the line with the Baker Brothers Bedfordshire Cup up for grabs to mark the first Saturday fixture at Goldington Road this season.
Rayer’s charges will wear the club’s newly launched alternative jersey on matchday, a design which celebrates 25 years since the supporters saved the club at the turn of the millennium.
The Starting XV shows nine changes from the side which took to the field in the Mobbs Memorial Match, as Rayer continues to put vital minutes into the legs of all members of the squad.
Joe Hill and Billy Pasco make first starts for the club as part of three backs changes, Michael Le Bourgeois is also back in, while there are six changes up-front.
Robbie Smith is back in club colours for the first time since December 2023 as part of the forwards alterations, while Archie Benson – who played for Saints at Goldington Road two weeks ago – also returns, as rotation continues across the board with the league season right around the corner.
Among the replacements, Ilan Evans is back from the injury which has so far prevented him wearing the Blues shirt, while there’s a first appearance of the season for Monty Royston, fresh from helping Bond University win their first Queensland Premiership crown over in Australia.
Having scored twice in the Mobbs match, James Pater also heads across to Goldington Road for a club debut.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Ryan Hutler, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois, 12. Billy Pasco, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Tom Price, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Jamie Jack, 2. Robbie Smith, 3. Sonny Tonga’uiha, 4. Archie Benson, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Kayde Sylvester, 7. Archie Hosking, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
Tommy Herman, James Fish, Joey Conway, Oisin Heffernan, Monty Royston, Ilan Evans, Nicholas Finch, Tui Uru, James Lennon, Will Maisey, Lucas Titherington, George Worth, Rafe Witheat, James Pater
