It’s been a quarter of a century since Bedford Blues welcomed Bath to Goldington Road, but Mike Rayer’s men are now able to test themselves against the best on Saturday as the Premiership Cup resumes.
Last season’s top flight runners-up Bath now sit top of the league, albeit after just six Premiership fixtures, and the in-form team are also top of Pool D in the cup after scoring 151 points in their two group games so far.
The challenge then perhaps does not get much tougher as Bedford Blues look to hold on to their unbeaten Goldington Road start with a shock win against high class opposition, although the visitors will be missing big names such as Finn Russell, Ben Spencer and Sam Underhill.
The Blues are on the board in the cup after an ugly 26-6 victory over Ampthill a fortnight ago, but they will have to be at their very best to beat a team of Bath’s quality, even without their stars.
Read: Bedford Blues muscle to bonus point in Premiership Cup win over Ampthill
This is the final fixture in this batch of Premiership Cup fixtures, with the Blues due to return to the Rec under the floodlights on 31st January before hosting Bristol the following Friday.
The Cup group stage ends with the short trip to Ampthill on 15th February.
There could also be an added element to the encounter as Storm Bert is due to hit at the weekend.
With consistent rain and heavy winds forecast, the players on the Goldington Road turf may find conditions tricky with ball in hand and under kicks, but all of that could add to an intriguing eighty minutes.
All in all, the game promises to be a crackerjack and with the pressure off for the Blues, they could pull off a shock comparable to last season’s win against Leicester Tigers in the same competition.
Five changes in the pack from Ampthill
All of the Blues’ changes come in the forwards with a brand new front row as Joey Conway, Tommy Herman and Beltus Nonleh begin from the off.
Fyn Brown and Joe Howard complete the changes in the six and seven jerseys with the back line completely unchanged from the Battle of Bedfordshire.
On the bench, there is a return for Matt Worley who enjoyed an international break with Hong Kong while there’s an opportunity of a Bedford debut for former Bedford School student, and now Northampton Saints scrum half, Jonny Weimann.
The game is due to kick off at 3pm at Goldington Road on Saturday 23 November.
Tickets are still available to purchase here.
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. Joey Conway, 2. Tommy Herman, 3. Beltus Nonleh, 4. Rory Ward, 5. George Smith, 6. Fyn Brown, 7. Joe Howard, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Nathan Langdon, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Oisin Heffernan, 19. Shay Kerry, 20. Luke Frost, 21. Jac Arthur, 22. Jonny Weimann, 23. Matt Worley
