After a long Summer, the Bedford Blues faithful finally welcome their team back to Goldington Road league action as Mike Rayer’s side look to kick start their season with victory against London Scottish.
Rayer makes five changes for the visit of Scottish, with Ethan Grayson returning to the back line after a number of appearances for England Under-20s throughout the Summer.
James Fish and Ed Prowse come into the front row; Robin Williams returns in the second row and Geordie Irvine, borrowed from Northampton Saints concludes the changes at blindside flanker.
There’s also a place on the substitute’s bench for a former Bedford Schoolboy, Kayde Sylvester, who will be sure to be a commanding presence at lock, standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall.
All players and officials will wear black armbands in tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the national anthem following a minute’s silence in the pre-match ceremony.
Saturday’s encounter will be the 81st meeting between the two sides, with the Blues dominating proceedings in recent years, including in the final league game of last season.
Bedford won 62-21 in the capital in what was Mike Rayer’s 500th game in charge of the Blues, and they will hope for a similarly dominant performance to get into the winning column tomorrow.
Read: Bedford Blues storm to huge victory in season finale at London Scottish
Women begin new campaign
The league schedule for the Women has also been announced, as Bedford Blues start life in NC2 Midlands Central after they won promotion last season following a 100% record.
They will now contest an extremely competitive eight-team league structure for the 2022/23 season alongside Peterborough, St Neots, Biggleswade, Royston, Buckingham Swans 2nd’s, Milton Keynes and Rugby Lionesses.
It will sure to be a step up from last season’s smaller division, but Peter Frost and Darryl Veenendaal – who took over Head Coach duties from Mark Stapley – are confident of progressing as a group.
“It’s going to be a huge step up into NC2 next season, but pre-season has already shown that the squad is stronger, fitter, faster and more skilful than before and therefore we should be targeting an impressive campaign”, said Frost.
Their first game is at Goldington Road on 25th September vs Peterborough Ladies.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Ethan Grayson, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Ed Prowse, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Geordie Irvine, 7. Charles Rylands, 8. Jac Arthur
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Jacob Fields, 17. Monty Royston, 18. Corrie Barrett, 19. Kayde Sylvester, 20, Jack Hughes, 21. Jake Garside, 22. Louis Grimoldby, 23. Pat Tapley
