Mike Rayer has named his squad as Bedford Blues face old rivals Coventry under the Friday night lights at Goldington Road, hoping to make it three home wins on the bounce.
Following last Saturday’s late try and conversion to seal a bonus point victory over Jersey Reds, the Blues are targeting a continued ascent up the Championship table, but expect a tough challenge from the league’s fourth placed side.
Director of Rugby, Rayer, has made five changes from last weekend, including handing scrum-half James Lennon a first start since Boxing Day; the only change to the back division.
In the forwards, captain Sean McCarthy and Alex Penny return to a familiar looking front row unit with Charlie Clare, having impressed together last season. Elsewhere in the pack, Will Carrick Smith and Josh Buggea also get the nod in the starting line-up.
Starting XV:
15 Rich Lane
14 Ryan Hutler
13 Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas
12 Sam Leeming
11 Matt Worley
10 Will Hooley
9 James Lennon
1 Sean McCarthy (C)
2 Charlie Clare
3 Alex Penny
4 Jordan Onojaife
5 Will Carrick Smith
6 Josh Buggea
7 Joe Atkinson
8 Alafoti Fa’osiliva
Replacements:
16 Jacob Fields
17 Joe Wrafter
18 Henry Paul
19 Ed Taylor
20 Huw Worthington
21 Grayson Hart
22 Lewis Robling
23 Pat Tapley
Words by Ryan Robinson
