Bedford Blues are back in action this Friday night (14 March) for the first time since 15 February as they welcome The British Army to Goldington Road for their annual exhibition match.
For the Blues, it represents ample opportunity to get some match practice ahead of a sprint finish to the Championship season, beginning with a trip to Hartpury on 22 March, while the British Army continue their preparations for the Babcock Trophy against The Navy in May.
Tickets for serving Military personnel are just £10, gained by showing valid identification at the Goldington Road gates.
With Championship fixtures scheduled for ten of the next eleven weeks, there is still a long way to go in English rugby’s second tier, but Bedford Blues are well placed in second following their narrow 27-23 victory against Coventry at the end of January.
Ealing Trailfinders are odds on favourites to retain their Championship title, and are 13 points clear of the Blues.
Read: Bedford Blues seal enthralling Coventry win to cement Championship second place
With an excellent showing in Pool D of the Premiership Cup also under their belts, confidence is high in the Blues’ camp ahead of what will be a scintillating finish to the Championship campaign.
Standing in their way to begin with are The British Army; a side who are stepping up their preparations for the Armed Forces’ showpiece event at the Allianz Stadium – formerly known as Twickenham – in a couple of months.
New look Blues
Given the exhibition nature of the fixture, both sides have a larger than usual squad, with the potential for a lot of Bedford Blues debuts.
One of them is Louis Haley, who makes a full debut in the number ten jersey with Rafe Witheat another starter on the right wing. On the opposite flank is a familiar name in Dean Adamson who makes a long-awaited return from the physio’s table.
Alfie Garside is another back returning from injury, while the Blues are also boosted by the reappearance of Shay Kerry in the second row.
Stu Day, Will Manning and Alfie Lewis from Peterborough Rugby are amongst a nine-man bench alongside Swansea University utility back, Joe Hill.
The British Army have also named a 26-man squad for this exhibition match, with some Championship experience included in their ranks.
Tickets for the clash can be bought via this link, or on the gate at Goldington Road. Kick off is at 19:45 on Friday 14 March.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Rafe Witheat, 13. Alfie Garside, 12. Lucas Titherington, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Louis Haley, 9. James Lennon; 1. Jamie Jack, 2. Tommy Herman, 3. Beltus Nonleh, 4. Shay Kerry, 5. Rory Ward, 6. Archie Benson, 7. Jac Arthur, 8. Joe Howard (C)
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. James Fish, 17. Joey Conway, 18. Stu Day, 19. Will Manning, 20. Alfie Lewis, 21. Alex Day, 22. Joel Matavesi, 23. Joe Hill, 24. Matt Worley
