Bedford Blues will be looking to kick start their Premiership Cup campaign on Saturday as Goldington Road finally plays host to a competitive fixture as Caldy come to town.
An opening weekend loss at Sale Sharks was followed up with an improvement against Newcastle Falcons last Friday night, but the Blues still sit on zero points from two games and sit bottom of Pool B.
On paper, Caldy represent a far more realistic chance of victory, but as last season’s Championship newcomers proved in the north west, they are more than capable of pulling off a shock win against the Blues.
Fish captains in Day absence
An early injury to club captain, Alex Day in the cup opener at Sale has seen the scrum half out injured, and he is still not fit enough so James Fish returns to take the captain’s armband in the front row.
There are seven other changes to the starting line-up from the 26-16 loss at Newcastle last weekend, with Blues talisman Michael Le Bourgeois returning at outside centre, alongside Dean Adamson on the wing and fly half, Will Maisey.
The most notable returnee in the pack is Jordan Onojaife, who makes his first start of the season after spending a lot of the last campaign on the sidelines after being cited in a game against Ealing on 10th December 2022.
Blues newcomer, Cameron King has recovered from injury to take the number eight jersey while Oisin Heffernan and Jac Arthur also return to the starting fifteen.
It was supposed to be a bumper weekend of action at Goldington Road, with the Women opening their league encounter against Hitchin on Sunday.
However, the Blues have been given a walkover victory after Hitchin were unable to field a side.
They are still in action however, with a trip to Lincolnshire to face Kesteven Ladies which will provide a stern test before facing familiar foes, St Neots in the opening round of their cup competition on 1st October.
Attention first turns to Goldington Road however, as the Blues faithful will hope to cheer Mike Rayer’s side to a first Premiership Cup victory.
Tickets are still available to buy here.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Matt Worley, 14. Seán French, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois, 12. Jordan Venter, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. James Lennon; 1. Jamie Jack, 2. James Fish (C), 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Jordan Onojaife, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Jac Arthur, 7. Kieran Curran, 8. Cameron King
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Jacob Fields, 17. Joey Conway, 18. Bryan O’Connor, 19. Robin Williams, 20. Luke Frost, 21. Joe Howard, 22. Louis Grimoldby, 23. Ethan Grayson
