Mike Rayer has named his team as Bedford Blues look to maintain their 100% record at home in 2020 when Doncaster Knights visit Goldington Road tomorrow.
Hartpury, Jersey Reds and Coventry have all been defeated in Bedford this decade, however they will face a difficult test against Clive Griffiths’ outfit who have also undergone a resurgence since the New Year.
Director of Rugby, Rayer, has made six changes to his starting side, including a welcome return for Dan Temm after an enforced absence.
Temm’s inclusion makes up part of an entirely new back row as Joe Atkinson and Alafoti Fa’osiliva return. There is a slight reshuffle in the forwards with Oli Curry moving into the second row, while Alex Penny has recovered from a back injury to start at tighthead prop.
The final two changes come in the backs division as Rich Lane makes a return from illness at full-back and Grayson Hart is named at scrum-half as James Lennon misses out with a hamstring injury.
There are spaces on the bench for Northampton Saints dual-registered duo Devante Onojaife and Fraser Strachan. Unfortunately key players Will Hooley (concussion) and Dean Adamson (fingers) remain on the side lines through injury.
Starting XV:
15 Rich Lane
14 Ryan Hutler
13 Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas
12 Lewis Robling
11 Matt Worley
10 Sam Leeming
9 Grayson Hart
1 Sean McCarthy (C)
2 Robbie Smith
3 Alex Penny
4 Jordan Onojaife
5 Oli Curry
6 Dan Temm
7 Joe Atkinson
8 Alafoti Fa’osiliva
Replacements:
16 Jacob Fields
17 Joe Wrafter
18 Henry Paul
19 Will Carrick Smith
20 Devante Onojaife
21 Huw Worthington
22 Fraser Strachan
23 Ed Coulson
Words by Ryan Robinson
