Mike Rayer is hoping that the signing of Darren Fox will add to Bedford Blues’ physicality, as well as put pressure on Sacha Harding when he returns from his neck injury.
Veteran back-row Fox joined the Blues from National Division One side Cambridge, along with promising prop Ben Cooper, earlier this week ahead of Thursday’s registration deadline.
Director of rugby Rayer was delighted to have been able to bring the pair in and is looking forward to seeing the impact they have on the competition for places. Fox, described as a “gnarly old warrior” by the Bedford boss, has signed to cover for Harding while he is sidelined, but Rayer also wants him to push the club stalwart for his place.
He said: “He’s [Harding] an important guy to us, but the other thing as well is that the seven shirt has been his own.
“We haven’t really seen anything of Will Fraser this year who hasn’t been able to put any pressure on Sacha.
“He’s got five weeks where I’m sure he’ll be throwing some weights around that changing room in frustration.
It will be great to have him back fresh and fit in five weeks time, but he will have a real fight on his hands if Darren comes in and makes a good fist of it.
“He had seven or eight seasons at Northampton, so he has been at the top level and more than adequately acquitted himself there.
“He brings a ton of experience, but really it’s the hard edge we are looking forward to him bringing. It’s a bit of nous and a bit of experience, and he will hopefully add a significant amount to our pack, and that’s what we are looking for.”
Fox and Cooper both left Cambridge due to financial problems that have seen them release director of rugby Bob Crooks and have to stop paying players. Cooper comes in to fill the void left by the seven-week suspension of Dan Seal, but at 22 he is also seen as one for the future and Rayer has spoken highly of the front rower.
He said: “He’s learnt his trade well over in Cambridge and they have developed him fantastically. He’s a big lad and we’ve had good reports on him.
“Obviously it’s an unfortunate situation that has occurred at Cambridge, he’s keen to put that behind him, and he realises this is a good opportunity for him now.
“Ben is a young man with bags of potential and we’re looking forward to him stepping into Dan Seal’s shoes.”
