Goldington Road will see the resumption of the Championship on Saturday (18 January) as Bedford Blues welcome local rivals Ampthill for the second time this season, and for the first time in the league.
Mike Rayer and his men have enjoyed a three-week break since their 50-7 victory against Cambridge in the festive fixture, but now face two games inside six days, with Championship heavyweights, Coventry to come under the Goldington Road floodlights next Friday (24 January).
Read: Bedford Blues serve up festive feast in Cambridge thrashing
A hit-and-miss December for both the Blues and Coventry have left both trailing in the wake of perennial favourites, Ealing Trailfinders who now find themselves twelve points clear of second placed, Coventry with the Blues a further point back.
Nottingham and Cornish Pirates are also hot on the heels of both, leaving the race for second congested heading into the second half of this Championship campaign.
The Blues will look to hit the 2025 ground running as they search for a repeat of their Premiership Cup victory against Ampthill at the beginning of November.
Read: Bedford Blues muscle to bonus point in Premiership Cup win over Ampthill
The ‘Battle of Bedfordshire’ has produced some superb games since Ampthill first tasted Championship action in 2019, and had started to become a bit of a bogey side for the Blues, although Mike Rayer’s charges have held the upper hand in recent encounters, especially at Goldington Road.
Changes up front
Mike Rayer makes three changes to the side who beat Cambridge at Goldington Road in 2024’s final game, and all of them come in the pack.
Jamie Jack and Tommy Herman are brought in for what are the usual changes to the front row, while Rory Ward returns from the physio’s table to partner Alex Woolford behind them.
Captain, Alex Day, who suffered an injury against Ealing at the beginning of December, is fit enough to return to the substitute’s bench as James Lennon continues to deputise in the number nine shirt.
There’s also some intriguing encounters elsewhere as Championship new boys Chinnor – who beat the Blues in December – have somewhat of a free hit against a rampant Ealing side on Friday night, while Coventry host a Doncaster Knights team who have yet to find their usual consistency on Saturday.
Nottingham travel to bottom club, Caldy while Cornish Pirates face a tricky trip to Gloucestershire to take on Hartpury as the pair look to keep up the pace on the top three.
Cambridge also host London Scottish at Ellgia Fields in the division’s final fixture.
Bedford Blues have also confirmed details for their annual match against the British Army at Goldington Road, with the marquee fixture taking place under the Friday night lights on 14 March.
The Bedford Blues game on Saturday kicks off at 3pm at Goldington Road, with tickets available to purchase here.
Bedford Blues Starting XV:
15. Louis James, 14. Matt Worley, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois (C), 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Will Maisey, 9. James Lennon; 1. Jamie Jack, 2. Tommy Herman, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Rory Ward, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Luke Frost, 7. Fyn Brown, 8. Fred Tuilagi
Bedford Blues Replacements:
16. Craig Wright, 17. Joey Conway, 18. Austin Hay, 19. George Smith, 20. Cameron King, 21. Joe Howard, 22. Alex Day, 23. Lucas Titherington
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