Rayer readies troops for a Titanic struggle
Bedford Blues continue their RFU Championship campaign at Rotherham Titans on Sunday
Bedford Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer believes Sunday's trip to Rotherham represents one of the hardest in the RFU Championship.
The Goldington Road side completed a hard-fought 27-25 victory at Clifton Lane last season, but Rayer is expecting an almighty battle.
He said: "I have been going there for seven years as a player and coach, and it still is one of the most harshest environments to try and win a game of rugby.
"The pitch is narrow, the crowd is on top of you, the changing rooms are small.
"But we know that, most of the lads have been there before. We've got to take that and make sure there are no shocks come 2pm."
The Titans have been busy over the close season, bringing in a number of high-profile players including former rugby league star Henry Paul, who has also represented England at union.
Rayer continued: "He's one of the best rugby players in whatever code.
"He's more coaching down there, but they also have Joe Bedford, who has been captain at Leeds.
"He was the best scrum half in our division for a couple of seasons, before he went to Leeds.
"He's a very, very shrewd operator and will have them organised as he's a good link between the backs.
"They also signed two other lads from Leeds in Jonny Hepworth and Richard Welding. They're very dangerous players, but it's the pack that's important when you go away from home.
"You've got to understand that it's the pack that will try and come at you, but that's what we've got to take head on and meet fire with fire."
While Bedford were putting 50 points past Plymouth Albion at the weekend, Rotherham were in action on Sunday, pulling off a marvellous 26-24 victory at Bristol.
Juan Pablo Socino struck a last-minute conversion to win the game, but Rayer felt a Titans win was the ideal outcome for Blues.
He added: "The best result for everyone at the weekend was Rotherham beating Bristol, because it really focuses our attentions.
"To me, not us winning, but them winning, was the best result for us.
"On paper, they're a very, very good side. It was a surprising result, but knowing from a distance how Rotherham operated under Andre Bester last time, they were a hard side to beat.
"He has instilled that pretty quickly this season too. I'm guessing they were probably a bit surprised with the result as well, but they were able to go to Bristol and pull of a win, so they'll be very tough on Sunday."
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Weather for Bedford
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
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