At over sixty points per fixture and a ream of high-scoring battles, Cornish Pirates against the Blues has the ability to entertain, but after an opening weekend 41-21 loss to Ealing, Mike Rayer’s side will hope to pull through another tough fixture, this time in the south west.
Read: Blues unlucky in defeat as Ealing kick start title hunt
That scoreline provided one of the Blues’ most memorable days from last season; a brace from Alex Day and a try apiece for Joey Conway and Jacob Fields as well as a score for Robin Williams giving Bedford a 41-21 victory at the Mennaye in this fixture in September 2022.
The Pirates have however turned the Mennaye into a fortress since then, and a repeat victory will be a tough ask as the Blues look to kick start their campaign and get points on the board.
Three changes
Mike Rayer has made three changes to the side that lost to Ealing last week, all of them in the pack.
Alex Woolford has recovered from the illness that saw him drop out late last weekend, replacing Jordan Onojaife while Jac Arthur replaces the injured Kieran Curran in the number seven jersey.
There is also a start for Joe Howard at number eight with Cameron King dropping to the bench.
Robin Williams is also in line to reach a milestone of fifty appearances for the Blues, while scrum half James Lennon could also reach the same landmark should he come off the bench.
This trip is not covered by the Bedford Rugby Followers Association’s new offer of £10 travel to away games, but the match is available to buy via live stream here.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois, 12. Jordan Venter, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey (C), 9. Alex Day; 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Joe Howard
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Jacob Fields, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Bryan O’Connor, 19. Jordan Onojaife, 20. Cam King, 21. James Lennon, 22. Louis Grimoldby, 23. Ethan Grayson
