The final round of the Premiership Cup pool stage is due to take place this weekend, and while Bedford Blues cannot qualify for the quarter-finals, a mouth-watering local derby against Ampthill takes centre stage for the final competitive rugby action in over a month.
This is Bedford Blues’ final competitive fixture before Championship action resumes at Hartpury on 22 March and while the Blues do face the British Army on 14 March, Mike Rayer and his coaching staff will hope they can finish an intense block of fixtures on a high on Saturday.
Rayer’s men made headlines with a pragmatic and complete performance against Bristol Bears last Friday night; winning 23-14 to cause one of the shocks of the round as the Championship gained plaudits for their club’s performances in round five.
Read: Bedford Blues beat Bristol Bears to claim deserved Premiership Cup shock
Coupled with a bonus-point loss at Bath, Bedford have proved to be tricky customers in this pool as the Premiership heavyweights have trialled some second string players, but the Blues now face familiar opposition as they look to finish the cup stage with a third win.
Ampthill – currently 10th in the Championship – have had some difficult days in this competition, including shipping over 70 points to both Bath and Bristol but have got the better of the Blues on occasions since their Championship debut in 2019.
Bedford beat Ampthill 26-6 in the reverse cup fixture at the beginning of November, but derby day can often be unpredictable and with little on the line but local pride, the latest reincarnation of this fixture could be an eventful one.
Read: Bedford Blues muscle to bonus point in Premiership Cup win over Ampthill
Six changes for the third meeting this season
In addition, the Blues have beaten Ampthill 45-24 in the league, but the Mob have home advantage this time round as Mike Rayer makes six changes to the starting line-up that so impressively beat Bristol last time out.
Joey Conway and Tommy Herman resume duties in the usual changes to the front row, although Oisin Heffernan remains at tighthead prop, with Joe Howard completing the changes to the pack as he returns in the number six jersey.
Jake Garside returns to the right wing for just his third appearance of the season, while club captain Alex Day begins from the off at scrum half.
Joel Matavesi is the sixth and final change at inside centre, with Michael Le Bourgeois dropping to the bench again while Dean Adamson remains unavailable.
After a couple of weeks of unfamiliar kick off times for both sides, this contest begins at the slightly more traditional start of 2pm on Saturday 15 February at Olney Field.
Fans can purchase tickets via the Ampthill Rugby website here.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Jake Garside, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Matt Worley, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. Tommy Herman, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Luke Frost, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Joe Howard, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Nathan Langdon, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Austin Hay, 19. Rory Ward, 20. Cameron King, 21. James Lennon, 22. Ewan Baker, 23. Michael Le Bourgeois
