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MATCH PREVIEW V EALING TRAILFINDERS

Posted: 
20/09/2019 - 11:54

The long wait is finally over and competitive rugby returns to Goldington Road this weekend as Bedford Blues take on Ealing Trailfinders in the first round of the Championship Cup.

The holders coming to town could be deemed a daunting task but with a near five month break since the Blues last league clash, the whole squad are champing at the bit to get back into action and what a fantastic challenge to get things underway.

Looking ahead to the clash, Blues Backs Coach Paul Larkin said: “We’ve had two good run outs against Cambridge and Cardiff Blues so to finally get stuck into competitive action will give us a better indication of where we are.

"Having Matt Worley, Lewis Robling and Ed Coulson back for this is timely and has added some depth to our backline. Losing Jacob Fields for a few weeks is a blow but Sean McCarthy has plenty of experience in that position to back up Robbie Smith, who along with Joe Wrafter, were quite outstanding against Cardiff Blues last week.

“Ealing are a quality outfit who have recruited some top talent ahead of the campaign but we’re very happy with the squad we have and I’m sure we are in for a great game on Saturday afternoon.”

There are plenty of new faces making their competitive debut this weekend with Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas, Sam Leeming, Grayson Hart, Joe Wrafter, Robbie Smith, Dan Temm and Joe Atkinson all in the starting line-up while Henry Paul is named on the bench alongside Karl Garside who arrives from Northampton Saints. Ed Taylor skippers the team while Sean McCarthy offers backup at hooker in place of Jacob Fields who picked up a knock last weekend.

Starting Line-Up:
15. Rich Lane
14. Pat Tapley
13. Matt Worley
12. Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas
11. Ryan Hutler
10. Sam Leeming
9. Grayson Hart

1. Joe Wrafter
2. Robbie Smith
3. Alex Penny
4. Ed Taylor (c)
5. Jordan Onojaife
6. Dan Temm
7. Joe Atkinson
8. Huw Worthington

Replacements:
16. Sean McCarthy
17. Henry Paul
18. Karl Garside
19. Will Carrick Smith
20. Oli Curry
21. James Lennon
22. Lewis Robling
23. Ed Coulson

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