All five new summer arrivals are in line for Bedford Blues’ first run out at Goldington Road after Mike Rayer named them all in a 25-man rugby squad for Saturday’s home opener against Northampton Saints.
Discounted tickets are available online. Kick-off is at the earlier time of 1:30pm.
After 119 days away, Blues make their highly anticipated return to home soil against their neighbours and Premiership opposition Northampton, in what is the final pre-season fixture ahead of the exciting 23/24 league and cup campaign.
With contests against fellow top-flight sides Sale Sharks, Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers still to come in upcoming weeks in Premiership Cup action, tomorrow’s match offers another opportunity to put vital minutes into the legs of the squad ahead of those high-intensity contests.
The headline news from the team announcement is that the fresh faces to the Bedford environment will all experience a home debut in front of an anticipated packed crowd.
Forwards quartet Jamie Jack, Bryan O’Connor, Joe Howard and Cameron King – as well as centre Jordan Venter – will feature on the hallowed turf and we’re urging everyone to show their support for the boys and head through the turnstiles tomorrow.
The game also represents a first chance to see the squad repping the new home jersey design with a full kit launch expected this evening, and replica jerseys immediately on sale at the ground in the build-up to kick-off.
Backs duo Michael Le Bourgeois and Jamie Elliott are the only injury absentees for tomorrow’s game. Former Blue Ed Coulson, who performed the same function and scored a try in this fixture last year, has again been drafted in as cover for the game following those injuries in the backs division.
Director of Rugy, Rayer said: “The new boys can’t wait to run out at Goldington Road for the first time and with a large crowd expected, let’s raise the roof to welcome them home.
“If the last two years are anything to go by, this fixture with Northampton will be another entertaining, high-scoring contest. Hopefully, it’s another hard-fought battle as we continue to prepare for the upcoming Championship and Premiership Cup season.”
Bedford’s Starting XV will be announced later today at
Bedford Blues Forwards
Jamie Jack, Joey Conway, James Fish, Jacob Fields, Bryan O’Connor, Oisin Heffernan, Robin Williams, Jordan Onojaife, Alex Woolford, Jac Arthur, Luke Frost, Kieran Curran, Joe Howard, Cameron King
Bedford Blues Backs
James Lennon, Alex Day, Will Maisey, Louis Grimoldby, Dean Adamson, Jordan Venter, Ethan Grayson, Ed Coulson, Pat Tapley, Seán French, Matt Worley
Live streaming
While discount tickets are available, for Blues fans unable to make it to Goldington Road, all the action will be live streamed through at the club’s Facebook and YouTube channels for free.
The club’s our very own Sam Roberts will be the main commentator, with former Bedford School alumni and Saints full-back George Furbank on co-comms.
The live stream will be a two-camera set-up from the ground’s TV Gantry and brought to you by production company, 24/7.
New brew on the bar
Visitors are in for a treat off the pitch too as the Bedford Blues have partnered with local brewers Wells & Co. ahead of the 2023/24 Championship campaign.
From tomorrow, Genesis Bedford Stout, which is produced at Brewpoint, less than two miles from Goldington Road, will launch this week and be available in all public bars throughout the new season.
Brewpoint is also forming an exciting marketing partnership with the club with promotion of the Blues at all Wells & Co. pubs, partners and supporters.
Brewpoint will also have branding around the rugby ground and on the back of the men’s shorts.
The new beer will sit on the bar alongside other popular favourites from Carlsberg Marston Brewing Company (CMBC)
Bedford Blues Chief Operating Officer, Gareth Alred said: “Firstly, I must thank CMBC who have allowed us to explore this new opportunity with our good friends at Wells & Co.
“There is so much shared history and heritage with the club and Bedford’s brewer, so it’s a natural fit to work together in some form again.
“The new Genesis Bedford Stout is a fantastic drink and I expect Blues’ supporters to enjoy a drop or two this season.
“It is just the start of an exciting relationship where we hope to drive more supporter engagement and hopefully increased footfall at Goldington Road.”
Established in 1876 as Charles Wells Pub Co, before a name change to Wells & Co. in 2019, the business has retained local roots for almost 150 years.
Wells & Co. Chief Executive Officer, Pete Wells added: “We are proud to be back in partnership with Bedford Blues and bring these two long standing local institutions back together.
“Rugby and beer go hand in hand, and we are excited for our new Brewpoint beer, Genesis Bedford Stout, to make its debut at Goldington Road on Saturday.
“We’re sure the Bedford community will get behind their local team this season and we hope they toast all tries with a pint of Genesis.”
Words supplied by Bedford Blues with editing and
additional reporting by Paul Hutchinson for the Bedford Independent
