Five wins from six Championship fixtures represents an excellent start for Bedford Blues in the Championship, but their credentials will be tested on Saturday (7 December) as they welcome title holders, Ealing to Goldington Road.
Perennial favourites, Ealing have an identical record to the Blues, but sit second courtesy of more bonus points as both teams chase down early pace-setters, Coventry.
The title battle has taken an intriguing turn in the week, with Coventry applying for Premiership promotion; a genuine prospect given they may well be in the running for the Championship title come May.
They also have close to a perfect record having taken 29 points from an available 30. The only point they missed out on was a bonus point at bottom side, Caldy but they have won six out of six Championship games, including against Mike Rayer’s men.
There will be a few nervous moments for those towards the bottom of the Premiership, at Exeter Chiefs and at Newcastle Falcons, although a lot has to happen between now and May for an established top-tier club to end up in the Championship.
This game at Goldington Road then is critical for both Ealing and the Blues.
Four changes
The Blues are unbeaten at home in the Championship while Ealing are yet to taste defeat away from home so Saturday’s clash is due to be a battle between two sides who are in excellent form.
Mike Rayer makes four changes from the side who prevailed at Nottingham last Friday night, including short-term loanee, John Stewart who joins from Bath at hooker.
Joey Conway and Oisin Heffernan, who both played in the Midlands last time out, join the front row with him while Fred Tuilagi returns from injury to resume duties at number eight. Ed Prowse also returns to the pack.
The fourth and final change is Matt Worley who returns from international duty with Hong Kong and slots in on the right wing. Alfie Garside moves to the left wing in the absence of Dean Adamson.
Bedford have had to dig out Championship victories since September, but they will have to be at their fluent best against a side they have struggled against in recent times, although the Blues did beat Ealing 31-19 on their own patch in 2022.
They’ll need a repeat of that valiant display to put the cat amongst the pigeons at the top of the Championship table.
Tickets for the game are available to purchase here or on the gate at Goldington Road with kick off at 3pm.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Matt Worley, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Alfie Garside, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. John Stewart, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Ed Prowse, 5. Rory Ward, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Joe Howard, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Tommy Herman, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Beltus Nonleh, 19. George Smith, 20. Jac Arthur, 21. Jonny Weimann, 22. George Makepeace-Cubitt, 23. Joel Matavesi
