Bedford Blues are all set for their “biggest game at Goldington Road in a decade” as the Champ Rugby play-off semi-finals come to town on Friday night (22 May), with one of their oldest rivals as opposition.
Coventry are the visitors to Bedford, courtesy of their narrow 28-25 victory over Hartpury in last Saturday’s quarter finals, with perennial favourites, Ealing and Worcester Warriors contesting the other semi-final.
That semi-final begins at 16:00 on Saturday (23 May), but first, Goldington Road prepares for the always stiff test of Coventry, who will be looking to seal their own spot in the play-off final next Sunday (31 May).
Tickets are still available here.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of a crunch game under the Friday night lights.
What’s to play for?
The play-off formula is relatively simple.
Four teams have already contested the play-off quarter finals. Tonight’s opponents, Coventry beat Hartpury while Worcester Warriors beat the division’s surprise package, Chinnor in the other quarter-final.
That means Champ Rugby’s top four teams are through to the semi-finals, and Bedford have home advantage courtesy of an excellent second place finish in the regular season, ahead of third-placed Coventry.
If Ealing win the other semi-final, they will have home advantage for the final as they finished top with a 100% record, but if Worcester inflict defeat on the Londoners for the first time this season, the final will be held at the home of tonight’s winners.
The winners of the final will be crowned the Champ Rugby champions, but no team will be promoted to the Premiership as none of the four clubs are eligible.
When and where?
Friday night’s semi-final will be held at the home of Bedford Blues, Goldington Road.
The gates open at 17:00, with hospitality ticket holders welcome into the CMC Marquee at 17:30. There is also a season-ending sale in the club shop, which opens at 18:00 plus a Champ Rugby trophy tour from 18:45.
The main event kicks off at 19:45, and from approximately 21:30, we’ll know who will be the first team in the showpiece final next Sunday.
The form book
Both sides’ form has been excellent towards the tail end of the regular season, with Bedford Blues winning seven of their last nine league games, with an unexpected home defeat against Nottingham in March plus a defeat at Ealing in their last game on 9 May.
Coventry’s form has been very similar, having won eight of their last 10, with losses against Cornish Pirates and everyone’s nemesis, Ealing, but they did put 64 points on Worcester on the final day of the league season before last Saturday’s tight win against Hartpury.
As with any form of play-off competition however, the form book may go out the window in a one-off game that has the potential to be a tight affair.
Both sides have claimed their respective bragging rights this season, with Bedford’s 38-31 victory over Coventry in January coming after October’s 35-30 defeat at what was then known as the Butts Park Arena.
Coventry has since renamed their stadium the Nick Newbold Stadium, after the passing of their much-loved director who passed away a year ago.
The teams
Bedford Blues have named a predictably strong starting XV.
Key names to look out for are the Blues’ indispensable half back pairing of Will Maisey and captain, Alex Day who will wear the number ten and nine jerseys respectively, plus Champ Rugby’s leading try scorer, Dean Adamson on the left wing.
Adamson, who has added a further 22 tries to an already enormous tally of tries in Blues colours, is a fan favourite and was named as one of three Bedford players in the Champ Rugby team of the season, announced on Thursday.
Joey Conway and Oisin Heffernan, who line up in the front row either side of hooker James Fish on Friday, were the other two players chosen, while Coventry centre, Api Bavadra was also named.
Coventry coach, former Bedford Blues forward Alex Rae, was also named coach of the season.
The only disappointment from a Blues point of view is the missing Louis James, who is out injured, but they have a more than capable replacement in George Worth, who slots into the number 15 jersey, with former Coventry winger, Ryan Hutler also starting.
Rory Ward also misses out.
With a larger than usual crowd expected, Blues fans are being told to get through the gates early, and with a warm weather forecast, the stage is set for another exciting chapter of rugby union at Goldington Road.
Rugby fans can buy their tickets for Bedford Blues vs Coventry here.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. George Worth, 14. Ryan Hutler, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Archie Benson, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Fred Tuilagi, 7. Fyn Brown, 8. Tui Uru
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Tommy Herman, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Sonny Tonga’uiha, 19. Ilan Evans, 20. Nicholas Finch, 21. James Lennon, 22. Toby Thame, 23. Amena Caqusau
