Just five days after a much talked about clash with Premiership leaders Bath, Bedford Blues will be back in Premiership Cup action on Friday (7 February) as they welcome another in-form side in Bristol Bears under the floodlights at Goldington Road.
Mike Rayer’s side almost caused a shockwave in this revamped cup competition with a display full of courage at The Rec on Sunday, but a five day recovery period leaves little to chance with the Premiership’s second placed side looking to keep their cup hopes alive with victory.
Read: Excellent Bedford Blues cause Bath problems in Premiership Cup loss
Bedford Blues are now officially out of the Premiership Cup, although few would have expected them to lead a group that includes the current Premiership top two.
What they are doing in this competition is showing the worth of the Championship; their exciting running style seemed to cause some surprise on social media as Matt Worley’s second try – as well as Woolford’s earlier moment of magic – gained a lot of fans in the rugby sphere.
For those of us who follow Bedford Blues, we know these moments are nothing new and Bristol will also now be hyper aware of what the Blues are capable of as they look to inject some much-needed urgency into their cup campaign.
The Bears kept their progression hopes alive with a 74-14 win against Ampthill last weekend, and will be wanting to add to their points difference of +74 as they look for one of three “best second place” spots available for the quarter-final stage.
For the Blues, the opportunity to entertain is an invitation they will not be shy in accepting.
Five day lay off causes changes
It wouldn’t be a Mike Rayer team sheet without some changes, but the Bedford Blues Director of Rugby has been forced into seven changes given the quick turnaround from an energy-sapping clash against Bath.
Michael Le Bourgeois takes the captain’s armband as he comes in at inside centre, with James Lennon starting from the off at scrum half leaving Alex Day to a place on the substitute’s bench.
Dean Adamson is still absent, so Matt Worley will hope to pick up from where he left off against Bath last week, where he scored a brace of tries from the left wing, while Will Maisey will make his 100th appearance for the Blues at fly-half.
Nathan Langdon is also in from the start for the first time in the hooker’s jersey as one of a host of changes in the pack, while Northampton Saints academy stars, Charlie Ulcoq and Louis Haley could be in line for a Blues debut from the bench.
The game kicks off at 19:45 at Goldington Road on Friday 7 February.
Tickets are still available to purchase on the gate, or online via this link.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Alfie Garside, 13. Lucas Titherington, 12. Michael Le Bourgeois, 11. Matt Worley, 10. Will Maisey, 9. James Lennon; 1. Jamie Jack, 2. Nathan Langdon, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Luke Frost, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Fred Tuilagi, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Cameron King
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Tommy Herman, 17. Joey Conway, 18. Austin Hay, 19. Joe Howard, 20. Charlie Ulcoq, 21. Alex Day, 22. Louis Haley, 23. Joel Matavesi
