Bedford Blues face another long trip on Friday night as they face top tier opposition once again in the Premiership Cup.
The opening day 47-12 loss against Sale Sharks last Saturday evening was a stark reminder that this new Premiership Cup is going to be a tough assignment and the challenges keep coming as Mike Rayer’s side travel to Newcastle Falcons.
Read: Sharks comfortably see off Blues in Premiership Cup opener
The Falcons were in the Championship as recently as the 2019/2020 season although they did coast to the title in a shortened league season with fifteen wins out of fifteen in securing an immediate return to the Premiership where they have stayed ever since.
Mike Rayer has made a total of eight changes to the starting line-up in an effort to kick start the Blues’ season, with four changes apiece to the pack and the back line thanks to injury and illness.
Jamie Jack, Jacob Fields and Bryan O’Connor come in to create an all new front row while Kieran Curran has recovered from illness to slot back in as openside flanker.
Grimoldby gets his chance
Louis Grimoldby was the leading point scorer in the Championship season for Ampthill when Newcastle lifted the trophy back in 2020, and the fly half gets his chance in the number ten jersey for the Blues as the backs also change.
Seán French and the returning James Lennon, who both scored tries off the bench last week, get their opportunity to start from the off on Friday night while Jordan Venter makes his competitive debut at inside centre.
This Newcastle test will prove to be a difficult ask once again for Mike Rayer and his charges but there is a good chance for this new look side to prove themselves at Kingston Park against a side who have struggled in the Premiership since their return in 2020.
Blues’ challenge at Newcastle kicks off at 7.45pm on Friday night.
Tickets for Bedford Blues’ first home game against Caldy on Saturday 23rd September are available to buy now here.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Matt Worley, 14. Seán French, 13. Ethan Grayson, 12. Jordan Venter, 11. Pat Tapley, 10. Louis Grimoldby, 9. James Lennon; 1. Jamie Jack, 2. Jacob Fields, 3. Bryan O’Connor, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Kieran Curran, 8. Joe Howard
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. James Fish, 17. Joey Conway, 18. Oisin Heffernan, 19. Geordie Irvine, 20. George Patten, 21. Jac Arthur, 22. Matt Arden, 23. Michael Le Bourgeois
