Competitive rugby union returns to Goldington Road this Saturday (29 March) as Bedford Blues host last season’s Championship runners-up, Cornish Pirates with Mike Rayer’s side looking to bounce back from defeat at Hartpury last weekend.
Such are the regularity of the opponents, Saturday’s clash will be the 50th time Mike Rayer has taken charge of the Blues against the Pirates but the sentimentality will be in the background as Bedford aim to kickstart their Championship run in.
Bedford Blues are still second in the Championship despite last Saturday’s loss at Hartpury, and with Coventry quick to close the gap to a single point, the wins will have to start immediately should Rayer and company want to hold on to the runner-up spot.
The Blues had been making a habit of winning late this season, with one of those instances coming back in October as Joey Conway’s try with the clock in the red secured a 28-24 victory in Penzance against the Pirates.
It was not to be in Gloucestershire last weekend, in one of six Championship clashes that produced six close results as English rugby’s second tier resumed with a cacophony of dramatic finishes.
Read: Bedford Blues slide to Hartpury defeat on Championship return
Cornish Pirates are the first of four tough looking fixtures heading into April with a trip to Castle Park to face Doncaster Knights next weekend followed by Nottingham on 5 April before the Blues host champions-elect, Ealing at Goldington Road.
Seven changes
Off the back of last weekend’s defeat, Rayer as opted to change almost half of his starting line-up.
Two of the changes come in the front row as Jamie Jack and Jamie Fish resume duties in the number one and two jerseys, replacing Joey Conway and Tommy Herman, who drop to the bench.
Ed Prowse also begins from the off this time, while Archie Benson makes his full debut alongside Woolford in the second row.
Matt Worley slots back in on the right wing with Michael Le Bourgeois also beginning from the first whistle in place of Joel Matavesi at inside centre. Club captain, Alex Day also drops to the bench with James Lennon preferred at scrum half.
Tickets are still available to purchase online at a discounted price here or on the gate at Goldington Road.
Kick off is at 3pm on Saturday 29 March.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Matt Worley, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. James Lennon; 1. Jamie Jack, 2. James Fish, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Ed Prowse, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Archie Benson, 7. Joe Howard, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Tommy Herman, 17. Joey Conway, 18. Beltus Nonleh, 19. Rory Ward, 20. Luke Frost, 21. Alex Day, 22. Alfie Garside, 23. Jake Garside
