The Battle of Bedfordshire resumes under the Friday night lights at Goldington Road tomorrow (8 November) as Bedford Blues welcome local rivals, Ampthill in the latest round of the Premiership Cup.
Both sides suffered at the hands of quality Premiership opposition last week, but return to familiar territory as both sides look to gain their first points in Pool D.
There’s free entry for serving members of the Armed Forces as we approach Remembrance Day. You will need to bring ID with you.
On the pitch, both sides are looking to bounce back from defeat in the opening round of the Premiership Cup; Bedford Blues falling 67-19 at Ashton Gate against an in-form Bristol Bears, while Ampthill lost 73-0 at home to Bath.
Read: Bristol score eleven tries in comfortable victory against Bedford Blues
Ampthill have fared extremely well in this fixture since their promotion to English rugby’s second tier in 2019, but Mike Rayer may sense that the Blues’ closest rivals are fragile having conceded 165 points without getting on the scoreboard in their past two fixtures.
Last week’s loss to Bath was preceded by a 92-0 thrashing by Championship leaders, Ealing with Ampthill’s Director of Rugby, Paul Turner stating, “We don’t mind losing, but I hate being totally out-fought and outclassed.”
However, the Blues’ own Director of Rugby will be wary that a sturdy response from Ampthill may be on the cards after a torrid fortnight for the visitors.
All change for the Blues
Mike Rayer has made nine changes from the starting line up that took to the field at Ashton Gate five days ago.
Five of those changes come in the pack, with an all-new front row selected as Jamie Jack and Oisin Heffernan will scrum either side of James Fish, while Jac Arthur and Fred Tuilagi are back in the seven and eight jerseys respectively.
Matt Worley is unavailable after being called up to the Hong Kong squad to face Brazil in the Autumn Nations Series, so Louis James returns at full back, behind Joel Matavesi who comes in to replace Alfie Garside at inside centre.
Captain, Alex Day is also back in his familiar scrum-half position as last week’s starting number nine, James Lennon drops to the replacements bench.
Tickets for the clash can be bought here or on the gate at Goldington Road.
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
