Bedford Blues will be looking to cap their home season in style on Saturday (24 May) as they welcome Chinnor to Goldington Road, aiming to seal second place in the Championship, as well as exact revenge on the division’s newest side.
Chinnor have more than held their own in their first campaign in English rugby’s second tier, winning six games including this reverse fixture against the Blues; a muddy, scrappy affair that ended 18-5 to the Oxfordshire-based club.
Read: Bedford Blues remain third despite shock Chinnor loss
Chinnor have also beaten fourth-placed, Doncaster Knights this season as well as doubling up against Caldy and Cambridge, and Mike Rayer will be more than aware of their strengths after a shock win for Nick Easter’s men on the Saturday before Christmas.
The Blues have immeasurably improved since that outing, scoring 43 tries and 287 points in their last five games as they have powered to the runners-up spot in the Championship; a position they can confirm with victory in Saturday’s final home outing.
Ealing Trailfinders – who face Coventry this weekend – were confirmed as Championship winners for the third time in four years last weekend after their 34-7 triumph at Caldy.
However, a win will mean Bedford Blues will have beaten every other Championship side at least once this season, including at Ealing, as well as confirming the Blues’ best ever home record for a single campaign so the stakes are still high for Goldington Road’s last hurrah in 2025.
One man who is used to the ways of Chinnor is Tom Cruse; the Blues’ forwards coach worked part-time with the then National League One club during his final playing season with Northampton Saints.
It was announced yesterday (22 May) that Cruse would again be moving on to join Worcester Warriors, who have been readmitted to ‘Champ Rugby’ from 2025/26 as the competition grows and earns a rebrand.
Read: Forwards coach Cruse to leave Bedford Blues for Worcester Warriors
Read: RFU announce revamped ‘Champ Rugby’ competition but promotion criteria remain
100 caps for Captain Day
Following Joey Conway’s 100th appearance for the Blues at Cambridge last time out, captain Alex Day becomes the latest to reach a century of caps as he resumes duties in the scrum-half jersey.
Elsewhere, there are four changes, including a return for the aforementioned Conway alongside Oisin Heffernan who rotate into the props, while Joe Howard is the third change in the pack in place of Luke Frost.
Michael Le Bourgeois also returns to the starting line-up, replacing Joel Matavesi who drops to the bench.
The game kicks off at 3pm on Saturday 24 May, and tickets are available to purchase online here or on the gate at Goldington Road.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Matt Worley, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Rory Ward, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Archie Benson, 7. Joe Howard, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Tommy Herman, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Beltus Nonleh, 19. Shay Kerry, 20. Luke Frost, 21. James Lennon, 22. Alfie Garside, 23. Joel Matavesi
