Bedford Blues’ preparations for the new rugby union season are beginning to take shape, as the club has announced their home pre-season schedule ahead of their busiest ever season in the second tier of English rugby.
Leading the pre-season campaign is the ‘Deano Testimonial’ fixture on Friday 15 August against Blackheath at Goldington Road, as the Blues’ prolific winger and all-time try scorer celebrates his testimonial year at the club.
There is a three-week gap to the next home friendly fixture; against Northampton Saints at Goldington Road on 5 September, thanks to a pre-season training camp in Cornwall, culminating in a pre-season fixture against a familiar foe in Cornish Pirates on 29 August.
Preparation ramps up six days later as the Blues welcome European finalists, Northampton to compete for the Mobbs Memorial Trophy before Ampthill once again come to town on 20 September, with an inaugural Baker Brothers Bedfordshire Cup on the line.
The Mobbs Memorial Match was created in 1921 and honours Northampton legend and World War One hero, Edgar Mobbs who turned out for the Saints on 234 occasions between 1905 and 1913, before the horrors of the Great War struck.
The 14-team Champ Rugby season kicks off on the weekend of Saturday 4 October.
The second tier of English rugby has been revamped and increased, with National One champions, Richmond and re-instated Worcester Warriors added to last season’s twelve teams to create the largest Championship – or Champ Rugby from this season – since its inception.
Read: Bedford Blues to face Worcester Warriors as Championship increases to 14 teams
There are also reinvigorated competition rules, with the top six at the end of the season going through to a play-off competition.
The teams who finish first and second will automatically gain a home play-off semi-final, with the teams who finish third to sixth competing in quarter-finals to determine the final two spots.
Champions, Ealing and Bedford Blues were the top two in 2024/25.
The winner of the play-offs will go on to face the bottom club in the Premiership for a spot in the top tier, although the RFU’s controversial minimum standards criteria for promotion remain in place.
Read: RFU announce revamped ‘Champ Rugby’ competition but promotion criteria remain
The Blues have also continued to announce new signings; 23-year old Welsh forward Ilan Evans joins from Super Rygbi Cymru side RGC 1404 while fly-half, Tom Price moves from promotion-winning side, Biella in Italy to provide competition for Will Maisey.
Both new names will undoubtedly get their chance to impress with the pre-season campaign beginning in just six weeks’ time.
Bedford Blues Chief Operating Officer, Gareth Alred, said: “We are very excited by our pre-season schedule, it will be great to welcome England’s oldest rugby club again in August for Dean’s first Testimonial event.
“A huge thank you to Blackheath for travelling to us for what will be a fantastic summer evening in aid of our record marksman, [Adamson].
“We are also delighted to be hosting Northampton Saints in the prestigious Mobbs Memorial Match in only the second year of its new format and with a trophy at stake.
“The relationship with Saints has never been stronger, but I expect the on-field rivalry to be as fierce as ever. The vision remains to grow this fixture, and we will have lots planned to mark the history that this match represents, hopefully in front of a packed crowd.”
Season tickets for Blues fans are still available, with the home pre-season campaign as part of the package. You can find out more about season tickets at Goldington Road here.
