The fixture list for the new rugby union season has been completed with the announcement of the pools for the newly formed Premiership Cup; the RFU’s new competition that sees Championship sides face off against Premiership opposition.
As competitive starts go, it couldn’t get much more difficult for Mike Rayer’s side as Bedford Blues open the tournament in Pool B with a trip to Premiership runners-up, Sale Sharks on 9th September.
Newcastle Falcons are next up with a long journey to the north east on Friday 15th September before Goldington Road sees its first competitive action as the Blues welcome Caldy the following Saturday.
The Battle of Bedfordshire then resumes as Bedford travel to Ampthill before Goldington Road plays host to European heavyweights, Leicester Tigers in the final round of pool fixtures.
Premiership power to test Blues
The new idea is the result of, “Great collaboration between the Championship, RFU and Premiership Rugby” according to the Chair of the Championship Clubs Committee, Steve Lloyd.
Bedford Blues have not faced Sale Sharks or Leicester Tigers since 2000, with fixtures against Newcastle as recently as 2020 after the Falcons tasted relegation to the Championship for a single season.
The competition sees four pools of six teams, with three Premiership teams out of six teams in Pools A and B, and two Premiership teams out of five teams in Pools C and D.
The winner of each pool will go through to the semi-finals with the final to be played on a yet to be determined date.
Tough league opening for Blues
The regular Championship season will begin after the conclusion of the Premiership Cup, and just like the cup competition, a difficult start awaits the Blues.
Last season’s runners-up, Ealing Trailfinders visit Goldington Road to open the Championship season on 21st October, with the side from the capital once again among the favourites to lift the league trophy at the end of the season.
The Blues also close out the season against Ealing as they travel to London on the final weekend on 25th May 2024.
An always tricky trip to Penzance to face Cornish Pirates is the Blues’ second game, before Goldington Road host Hartpury on 11th November with a trip to league champions, Jersey Reds the following weekend.
The new side in the Championship this season is Cambridge, after they won National League One last season with Bedford to host them on 25th November before the return fixture at Grantchester Road on 9th March.
The full list of fixtures for Bedford Blues can be found here.
