Bedford Blues have started the new Championship season well with a 45-19 victory against Caldy on the opening day of the season last weekend, however the challenge has picked up a notch with matchday two on the horizon.
Coventry, who also started the season with a 45-19 victory at London Scottish, are the hosts on Saturday (28 September) and with no victory at the Butts Park Arena in over a decade, the task for Mike Rayer’s men is there for all to see.
Read: Bedford Blues kick off Championship campaign with victory against Caldy
This rivalry is as old as time, with the two sides first locking horns towards the end of the 19th century, but it has been Coventry who have had the wool on Bedford in recent times, especially on their home patch.
These games are often close, although Mike Rayer will want to avoid a repeat of the last time his side were at the Butts Park Arena as the Blues slipped to a 54-19 loss back in April; a defeat that arguably cost the Blues a Championship third place.
Four changes from Caldy
Rarely does the same team start a Bedford Blues fixture, and despite last weekend’s solid performance, Mike Rayer has made four changes to the starting line up.
Fyn Brown comes in for a Bedford Blues debut in the number six jersey, while James Fish comes in at hooker in place of Nathan Langdon who drops to the bench.
Joel Matavesi is the third change, and he’ll come in at inside centre with former Coventry man, Lucas Titherington also dropping into the replacements while club captain, Alex Day returns to familiar territory at scrum half.
Otherwise, it’s the same team that swept aside Caldy.
The Women are also in action this weekend as they make their Papa John’s Challenge Cup debut with stiff opposition in Shelford, who play in the Women’s Championship Midlands 2, a division above the Blues.
Shelford have already beaten the Blues 61-0 in pre-season, but the Blues are due to put out a stronger side and while the odds are against them, they’ll be looking for the same spirit that took them on an RFU Junior Cup run last season.
Tickets for Sunday’s 2pm kick off at Goldington Road can be bought here.
Once again, the Bedford Rugby Followers Association are laying on coach travel for just £10 to all of Bedford Blues’ men’s away games this season, (the price is £15 for non members).
To claim your place on the coach, you can contact Margaret Appleton on 01234 354708.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Matt Worley, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois, 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Alfie Garside, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. George Smith, 5. Luke Frost, 6. Fyn Brown, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Nathan Langdon, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Bryan O’Connor, 19. Shay Kerry, 20. Archie Benson, 21. James Lennon, 22. Toby Cousins, 23. Lucas Titherington
