Bedford will see not one, but two international teams in action this weekend as the England Deaf Rugby side take on their Welsh counterparts in the latest revival of the Broadstreet Cup.
Goldington Road plays host to the England Men vs Wales Men fixture at 4pm while Bedford Athletic Rugby Club on Wentworth Drive will host England Women against a Bedford Blues Invitational XV at 2pm, on a great occasion for rugby in the town.
The Broadstreet Cup is currently held by Wales after their 21-15 victory in Cardiff last June, but the England Men’s side will be hoping to wrestle it back at Goldington Road.
One such player who has benefited from the creation of the England Deaf squads has been Luke Cheyne, who retired in February.
Writing on ‘X’, formerly Twitter, the former England captain outlined what his decade as part of the EDRU meant.
“Last week marked 10 years since I won my first England Deaf Rugby cap against Wales in Cardiff.
“Over the following decade I’ve made some incredible memories and have been fortunate enough to represent and captain England in fixtures and competitions all over the world.
“Thank you to everyone associated with EDRU over the last 10+ years. What a ride it has been.”
He’ll be hoping his teammates can regain the Broadstreet Cup on Sunday.
These fixtures are in preparation for a tour to the Southern Hemisphere as the Men’s squad jet off to South Africa in August, and tickets are now available to buy.
Tickets for the clash at Goldington Road are available to purchase here while you can also pay on the gate at both Goldington Road and Bedford Ath.
This article was amended at 17:45 on Wednesday 24th April 2024 to reflect the amendments to the fixtures after Wales Deaf Women’s XV were unable to fulfil the game, with Bedford Blues Women stepping in.
