Bedford Blues are ready to welcome an historic occasion on Saturday as both the Men and the Women face their Cambridge counterparts in a double header at Ellgia Fields.
This is the first time in Blues history that the Women and the Men have played on the same day in what is sure to be a feast of rugby union on Saturday afternoon, alongside the fourth round of the Six Nations where England face big favourites, Ireland.
The Women will face Cambridge of the division below in a friendly fixture at midday before the Men will hope to return to competitive winnings ways by completing a double over the Championship new boys at 3pm.
Just five points separate Cornish Pirates in second and Bedford Blues in fifth in the Championship table, and while Ealing romp towards another title, the race for the runners-up spot is just getting started.
The Blues have a game in hand over Doncaster and Coventry above them, and with the latter face Ealing this weekend, the Blues have a cracking opportunity to climb the table once more.
A repeat of the 59-19 victory at Goldington Road in November would be ideal, but the hosts have grown into the Championship arena slowly but surely over the course of the season, and Rayer and his team won’t be taking this one lightly.
Captain Day returns alongside Maisey
Mike Rayer has made five changes to the starting line up that fared well against Premiership opposition in Bristol Bears last Friday night.
Emeka Atuanya makes his first start in Blues colours in the second row, while Luke Frost comes in at flanker in two alterations to the pack.
Three big names return to the back line, as Will Maisey regains the fly half jersey alongside Michael Le Bourgeois who returns to familiar territory at inside centre, with captain, Alex Day back at scrum half.
Cambridge test for Women
The Women are taking a 26-woman squad to Ellgia Fields, and while the hosts have only played one competitive fixture this season, they are just a couple of games away from claiming the NC3 Midlands South championship.
This fixture coincides with today’s International Women’s Day (Friday) and the Blues have announced a partnership with the ‘Her Game Too’ movement to improve access and conditions for women in all sport.
Bedford Blues Women’s captain, Lucy Middleton said, “We endeavour to be role models for the younger generation as well as trying to encourage more women to try the sport for the first time.
“The fact our final game will now be an affiliated fixture alongside ‘Her Game Too’ is really exciting. We’re looking forward to seeing where this partnership takes us as a team as we prepare for life in NC1 next season.”
There are still spaces on the Bedford Rugby Followers Association coaches heading to Ellgia Fields, priced at just £10 per seat.
The coaches will leave North Wing Hospital on Kimbolton Road at 10:00am to ensure they arrive in time for the curtain raiser. For a space, please contact Margaret Appleton by calling 01234 354708.
You can also buy tickets for the games here.
Bedford Blues Men Starting XV:
15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Jamie Elliott, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish, 3. Bryan O’Connor, 4. Emeka Atuanya, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Cameron King
Bedford Blues Men Replacements:
16. Jacob Fields, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Oisin Heffernan, 19. Robin Williams, 20. Jordan Onojaife, 21. Kieran Curran, 22. James Lennon, 23. Jordan Venter
Bedford Blues Women Starting XV:
15. Emma Graham, 14. Gemma Cook, 13. Alyce Trude, 12. Emma Hunter, 11. Amy Winter, 10. Lucy Middleton (C), 9. Abi Wilkin; 1. Emry Bond, 2. Steph-Sarah McPhillips, 3. Millie Rennell, 4. Catherine Chambers, 5. Tara Adams, 6. Elena Famiglietti, 7. Bex Wright, 8. Liv Usher-Harris
Bedford Blues Women Replacements:
Hanah Donovan, Lauren Mason, Emily McBarron, Heidi Lawson, Yaz Morrison, Esme Fish, Sophie Singleton-Sells, Noami Stockham, Emily Wallbank, Natasha Daly, Natalie Daly
