As final pool games go, they don’t get much more difficult than 11-time Premiership champions, Leicester Tigers but Bedford Blues will be looking to cause an upset at Goldington Road on what will be their last game in this competition this season.
So far, Pool B of the Premiership Cup has more or less gone to form for Mike Rayer’s side, with the Blues losing their first two games against Premiership opposition in Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons before bouncing back to beat Caldy and Ampthill.
Leicester Tigers have four wins from four and need just a single point to guarantee a spot in the semi-finals although a points difference of +151 has realistically done that already, but it will not perturb from a superb occasion at Goldington Road.
More changes
Mike Rayer has used this competition to get miles in legs ahead of a tough group of opening fixtures in the Championship, beginning with Ealing on 21st October, and the Blues Director of Rugby has stuck with his rotation policy, making nine changes to the starting line up.
Robin Williams and Cameron King are the only individuals in the pack to keep their starting spots with the other six jerseys changing hands while Tom Litchfield makes his first competitive start of the season at outside centre.
Will Maisey and Matt Worley complete the changes, with Louis Grimoldby and Jordan Venter dropping to the bench.
The closing game of the Men’s Premiership Cup is the first of a Goldington Road double bill as the Women are back in action, hosting a strong Milton Keynes side in a clash that could determine the destination of the title come the end of the season.
Last weekend’s 40-0 thrashing of St Neots in the first round of the RFU Junior Cup has given the side a springboard to what is a huge game on Sunday.
Tickets for both games can still be bought here.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Tom Litchfield, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. James Lennon; 1. Jamie Jack, 2. James Fish (C), 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Joe Howard, 7. Kieran Curran, 8. Cameron King
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Jacob Fields, 17. Joey Conway, 18. Bryan O’Connor, 19. Jordan Onojaife, 20. Luke Frost, 21. Jac Arthur, 22. Louis Grimoldby, 23. Jordan Venter
