The race for the Championship second place is gathering pace, and with the likes of Coventry and Hartpury hot on the heels of Bedford Blues, Mike Rayer’s men will need to conquer a bogey ground to remain there, in what is another pivotal weekend in English rugby’s second tier.
Doncaster Knights’ Castle Park was – again – the only ground in the Championship to pass the RFU’s Minimum Standards Criteria (MSC) and has proven to be a tough visit for the Blues; their last victory in Yorkshire coming almost thirteen years ago in November 2012.
Doncaster are also in excellent form, winning their last four fixtures including the likes of champions-elect, Ealing and Sale Sharks in the Premiership Cup, and with a strong home advantage on Saturday, Joe Ford’s men will be full of confidence in making it five.
Standing in their way are a Bedford Blues team who were brilliant last Saturday in disposing of Cornish Pirates; the remnants of which have gone viral on social media, fronted by Will Maisey’s bizarre yet brilliant moment of ingenuity in converting one of six tries with a drop goal.
Read: Bedford Blues sail past the Pirates to resume Championship winning ways
There has also been the bombshell news that Worcester Warriors are returning to the frame, accepted into the Championship for the 2025/26 season – subject to conditions – alongside the winners of the third tier, National One.
Read: Bedford Blues to face Worcester Warriors as Championship increases to 14 teams
With this Knights fixture the third in an 11-week stretch that includes ten games, the bombardment of action may well be good preparation for an extended Championship season next campaign.
A pair of changes
While Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer made seven changes last week, he has opted for just the two this time.
Club captain, Alex Day returns to the number nine jersey in place of James Lennon while Alfie Garside replaces last Saturday’s double try scorer, Matt Worley on the right wing.
The front row, so often rotated, remains the same with Jamie Jack, James Fish and Oisin Heffernan leading the scrum.
The game kicks off at 14:30 on Saturday 5 April at Castle Park in Doncaster. The Bedford Rugby Followers Association coach is sold out, but matchday tickets are still available to purchase here.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Alfie Garside, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 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. Shay Kerry, 21. Luke Frost, 22. James Lennon, 23. Matt Worley
