The Greene King IPA Championship fixtures have been confirmed for the shortened 2021 season, with the original conference plan shelved after London Scottish pulled out.
London Scottish have chosen not to participate this season after rejecting the loans provided by the Sports Winter Survival Package.
This leaves eleven sides in the Championship, and while the original two conferences of six had been the original plan, the league have reverted to a much more fan-friendly straight league structure.
Each side will play five home games and five away games, with a bye week plus three reserve weeks in a congested two and half month period of rugby.
After a long year of absence, Bedford Blues return to the Championship arena with a trip to Coventry on the weekend of 6th March, before finally returning to Goldington Road against Hartpury the following week.
The toughest fixture will no doubt come at recently relegated Saracens, although the former European Champions have endured a tricky couple of games against Ealing in pre-season.
The campaign finishes with a mouth-watering tie at Goldington Road as the Battle of Bedfordshire takes place against nearby rivals, Ampthill on the weekend of 29th May.
The top two will then play in a two-legged play-off final for a place in the Gallagher Premiership.
Earlier last week, Bedford Blues launched their crowdfunder campaign in order to meet the expansive costs needed to compete, and have raised nearly £43,000 of their £50,000 target.
With no fans expected at Goldington Road or across the Championship this season, all clubs have fought hard to get rugby on and a start date will come as a relief to all associated with the Blues.
Details of how to live stream home games will be released shortly by the club as they look to bounce back on what has been a long and challenging 2020.
Bedford Blues fixtures in full:
Coventry vs BEDFORD BLUES – Weekend of 6th March 2021
BEDFORD BLUES v Hartpury University – Weekend of 13th March 2021
Cornish Pirates v BEDFORD BLUES – Weekend of 20th March 2021
BEDFORD BLUES v Jersey Reds – Weekend of 27th March 2021
Saracens v BEDFORD BLUES – Weekend of 10th April 2021
BEDFORD BLUES v Richmond – Weekend of 17th April 2021
Doncaster Knights v BEDFORD BLUES – Weekend of 1st May 2021
BEDFORD BLUES v Ealing Trailfinders – Weekend of 15th May 2021
Nottingham v BEDFORD BLUES – Weekend of 22nd May 2021
BEDFORD BLUES v Ampthill – Weekend of 29th May 2021
