Published: 26/08/2010 23:45 -
Updated: 27/08/2010 09:04
The summer may be drawing to an end, but thankfully that means it is time for the Championship to return to Goldington Road and on Saturday Bedford Blues open their account with a tough game against Plymouth Albion.
Although the Blues pulled off a double against the Devon outfit during the play-offs last season, Albion picked up a useful win over Bedford when they visited Goldington Road just before Christmas.
There have been plenty of comings and goings during the off season and Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer has had to make some tough decisions going into the opening weekend of the Championship.
Already missing for Bedford were long-term casualties Sam Walsh (shoulder), Robin Boot (ruptured bicep), Ben Lewitt (ACL) and Jake Sharp (broken arm).
Looking ahead to the game, Rayer said: “I’ve been really pleased with the preparations heading into the new season and I’ve had some real selection headaches, but they are good headaches to have.
“We know that Plymouth are going to turn up with a very well orgainsed pack of forwards who are going to look to dominate proceedings, but we have to remember that they have recruited well during the summer and have some nifty backs who could cause problems.
“It is great to be back in action after such a long break and I’m sure that all of the lads will be chomping at the bit come 3pm on Saturday afternoon.”
The Blues first team of the season sees Tom Bedford, Laurence Ovens and Jackson Wray all making their competitive Bedford debut while Sean Tomes and Joe Clark are both on the bench ready for their first appearance.
Starting line-up:
15. James Pritchard (c)
14. Duncan Taylor
13. Brendan Burke
12. Tom Bedford
11. Ollie Dodge
10. Myles Dorrian
9. Darryl Veenendaal
1. Laurence Ovens
2. Dan Richmond
3. Dan Seal
4. Mike Howard
5. Paul Tupai
6. Alex Rae
7. Sacha Harding
8. Jackson Wray
Replacements: 16. Joe Clark, 17. Phil Boulton, 18. Sean Tomes, 19. Gregor Gillanders, 20. Nick Walshe, 21. Owen Farrell, 22. James Short.
Although the Blues pulled off a double against the Devon outfit during the play-offs last season, Albion picked up a useful win over Bedford when they visited Goldington Road just before Christmas.
There have been plenty of comings and goings during the off season and Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer has had to make some tough decisions going into the opening weekend of the Championship.
Already missing for Bedford were long-term casualties Sam Walsh (shoulder), Robin Boot (ruptured bicep), Ben Lewitt (ACL) and Jake Sharp (broken arm).
Looking ahead to the game, Rayer said: “I’ve been really pleased with the preparations heading into the new season and I’ve had some real selection headaches, but they are good headaches to have.
“We know that Plymouth are going to turn up with a very well orgainsed pack of forwards who are going to look to dominate proceedings, but we have to remember that they have recruited well during the summer and have some nifty backs who could cause problems.
“It is great to be back in action after such a long break and I’m sure that all of the lads will be chomping at the bit come 3pm on Saturday afternoon.”
The Blues first team of the season sees Tom Bedford, Laurence Ovens and Jackson Wray all making their competitive Bedford debut while Sean Tomes and Joe Clark are both on the bench ready for their first appearance.
Starting line-up:
15. James Pritchard (c)
14. Duncan Taylor
13. Brendan Burke
12. Tom Bedford
11. Ollie Dodge
10. Myles Dorrian
9. Darryl Veenendaal
1. Laurence Ovens
2. Dan Richmond
3. Dan Seal
4. Mike Howard
5. Paul Tupai
6. Alex Rae
7. Sacha Harding
8. Jackson Wray
Replacements: 16. Joe Clark, 17. Phil Boulton, 18. Sean Tomes, 19. Gregor Gillanders, 20. Nick Walshe, 21. Owen Farrell, 22. James Short.
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