Blues unchanged for Rotherham encounter. Your Rugby News

Blues unchanged for Rotherham encounter

03
Sep

Posted by: Everything Rugby : Midlands, The Championship

Bedford Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer has followed the old adage that if it ain't broke, don't fix it as he names an unchanged 22 man squad to make the journey to Yorkshire to face Rotherham on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues made an impressive start to their Championship season as they ran in eight tries against Plymouth Albion in a 51-3 victory at Goldington Road last weekend.

As a result of that performance, Rayer has kept faith with his squad as the Blues prepare to take on the Titans at their Clifton Road home just a week after they defeated Bristol at the Memorial Ground in the Championship curtain raiser.

Rayer said: "Even though Rotherham finished in the bottom eight last season it really wasn't a true reflection of what that team could achieve. They have recruited extremely well over the summer and they proved just what they could do against Bristol last weekend.

"There are going to be different challenges each and every week throughout the course of this season and Sunday I feel is going to be one of the very toughest. Anyone who gets a result up at Clifton Lane this year will cherish it .

�We had a really tight game their last season and were fortunate to come away with the win, but it was down to hard graft and determination that we did and we�re going to need them qualities in bucket loads this weekend.�

On the injury fron the Blues are still without long-term casualties Robin Boot (ruptured bicep), Ben Lewitt (ACL), Jake Sharp (broken arm) and Sam Walsh (shoulder) although the prop forward is recovering well and could return to full contact training next week. Ian Vass has also stepped up his training and Chris Goodman is back in full training after suffering from a slight concussion.

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