Bedford Blues name side for visit of Coventry

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

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