Bedford Blues are finally back in Championship action this weekend as Mike Rayer’s side travel to Gloucestershire for a tricky test against Hartpury, looking to keep hold of second place in English rugby’s second tier.
Some criticism has been levelled at organisers for the competitive break in league action in order to accommodate the knockout stages of the Premiership Cup, with Bedford Blues and the rest of the Championship now facing their final ten games in eleven weekends.
Hartpury are fortunate to have played competitive rugby during this break; a thrilling 36-32 victory at Ampthill on 1 March, although the Blues have played a warm-up game against The British Army in order to ready themselves for their own competitive return.
Read: Bedford Blues warm up for Championship resumption with Army victory
Bedford have won nine of their twelve league fixtures this campaign to sit in second, although they are 13 points behind league leaders, Ealing who look well set to claim a third Championship title inside four years.
Despite their dominance at this level, the RFU revealed Ealing had failed in their pursuit of Premiership rugby after failing the Minimum Standards Criteria (MSC) test bestowed upon them by the authorities.
Coventry also failed, with Doncaster Knights the only side in the Championship passing the extensive set of regulations, but the residents of Castle Park will not be getting promoted regardless as they sit in eighth.
While the conversation of fairness rumbles on behind the scenes, the Blues players will set their minds on Gloucestershire as they look to continue fending off the likes of Coventry and Nottingham, as well as this weekend’s opponents, in the chase for second place.
Adamson comes through fitness test
The starting line-up has a familiar feel to it as key names return from injury.
Dean Adamson, still chasing the famed Bedford Blues all-time try scoring record, came through his fitness test against The British Army last Friday night to resume his place on the left wing, while Alex Day regains the captain’s armband, starting from the off at scrum half.
Michael Le Bourgeois also returns to outside centre in a team that is near full strength, with just Cameron King and Jac Arthur out through injury.
Seats are still available for the discounted coach trip provided by the Bedford Rugby Followers Association, and you can book tickets via their new look website here while match day tickets are available on the gate at the 4ED Hartpury Stadium.
The game kicks off at 14:30 on Saturday 22 March.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Alfie Garside, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois, 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. Alex Day (C); 1. Joey Conway, 2. Tommy Herman, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Rory Ward, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Joe Howard, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. James Fish, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Beltus Nonleh, 19. Ed Prowse, 20. Archie Benson, 21. James Lennon, 22. Lucas Titherington, 23. Matt Worley
