Preparations for the new rugby union season are well underway at Goldington Road, and Mike Rayer has began to replace the nine names that have left Bedford Blues in the close season, beginning with three players who are re-joining the club.
Ryan Hutler is back with the Blues after five years away, where the winger has since tasted success with Jersey Reds and most recently Coventry alongside Bedford-born, Kayde Sylvester and number eight, Tui Uru who returns from a brief stint in the French second tier.
With Matt Worley – who has moved permanently to Hong Kong – and Worcester bound, Alfie Garside both leaving in the summer, a gaping hole on the right wing appeared and Rayer has moved to bring a familiar name in to fill it.
Read: Bedford Blues announce nine summer departures from Goldington Road
Hutler, who was the Blues’ leading try scorer in the truncated 2019/20 season, went on to score 28 tries in 50 appearances for the Blues before moving to the Channel Islands to help Jersey Reds secure their first ever Championship title in 2022/23.
He has since spent the last two season at rivals, Coventry, scoring three tries against the Blues last season but was persuaded back by Rayer to a place Hutler calls “home”.
“I think it’s the right time for me to return”, says Hutler.
“It’s always been my plan to come back and delighted to be given the chance to do that. The environment at Goldington Road is really highly spoken of and hopefully I can help push us on even further.
“Goldington Road is a great place to play week in, week out and I’ve missed it. It’s going to be an exciting year and the squad is looking really impressive.”
Uru back at number eight
Tui Uru left Bedford Blues for Chambéry in the French D2 league at the end of the 2022/23 season but returns to Goldington Road, replacing the departed Cameron King as a second option at number eight alongside Fred Tuilagi.
Scoring nine tries in 55 Blues appearances first time round, Uru’s combative and powerful running style was popular with the Goldington Road faithful, and Rayer is delighted to welcome him back to the fold.
“I can’t wait to be back at Goldington Road – it was the first place I thought of when thinking about my future”, said Uru.
“[I have] great memories here, [the] supporters are fantastic, so it was a no brainer for me to come back.
“Returning ahead of a revamp for the league is really exciting. I’ve been part of a play-off system in France and it engages everybody, great to be part of as players, so hopefully I can be part of them again with Bedford.
“I said when I left two years ago that it wouldn’t be the end. Hopefully I can pick up where I left off and make even more memories at Goldington Road.”
Bedford lad returns home
The third name back at Goldington Road is second row, Kayde Sylvester; the former Bedford School student returning from an excellent season at Cambridge, where the 23-year old missed just two games throughout the Championship season.
Sylvester has plied his trade at the Blues, Nottingham and Cambridge in what is still a fledgling rugby career after signing his first professional contract at Northampton Saints, alongside fellow Bedford School alumni and Blues loanee, Jonny Weimann in May 2024.
“Bedford feels like a second home to me through my connections at Bedford School, and I still spent a lot of time in the town during my time at Northampton Saints”, said Sylvester at the beginning of his second stint at Goldington Road.
“I was chuffed to get the call through and excited to get the opportunity to be a member of the team on a full-time basis – it’s a real privilege.
“I’ll be forever grateful to Cambridge for the opportunity they gave me to play so often and put myself out there. But it was a no brainer to return to Goldington Road.”
More new signings will surely be announced in the coming weeks, with 17 players now committed to the new-look Champ Rugby season, where the Blues will face 26 league games, including against newly-promoted, Richmond and the returning Worcester Warriors.
Read: RFU announce revamped ‘Champ Rugby’ competition but promotion criteria remain
The fixture list for the new season has yet to be announced.
