Preview: Bedford Blues set for a titantic test against Rotherham

Match action from Bedford Blues' defeat to Jersey. Picture (c) June Essex

Bedford Blues head off to South Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon for the always tough challenge of facing Rotherham Titans at Clifton Lane.

The Blues will be looking for a return to winning ways, having suffered a first defeat of 2016 when they went down 18-25 to Jersey a fortnight ago.

Games against Rotherham are never easy, especially when the hosts will be looking to impress their new head coach Justin Burnell.

Looking ahead to the game, Blues forwards coach Martin Hynes said: “Everyone was disappointed with our performance against Jersey but hopefully it’ll give the lads the kick up the backside they needed and we can all move on.

Paul Tupai crashes over during Bedford Blues' defeat to Jersey. Picture (c) June Essex

“We’ve got a very tough game ahead of us this weekend but we’ve been able to enjoy an extra weekend off, recuperate a bit and then focus fully on the task ahead.

“If the players stick to the game plan and play to their full ability, then I’m sure we are in for a good afternoon.”

Nick Fenton-Wells misses out on the trip to Rotherham with a thumb injury so the team will be skippered by Paul Tupai who starts the game at blindside flanker.

The Blues also welcome Gloucester lock Joe Latta into the starting line-up with the second rower joining Bedford on a short-term deal.

Starting line-up:

15. Steffan Jones

14. Pat Tapley

13. Michael Le Bourgeois

12. Ollie Dodge

11. Dean Adamson

10. Jake Sharp

9. Jordan Burns

1. Alex Lundberg

2. Sam James

3. Phil Boulton

4. Joe Latta

5. Harry Wells

6. Paul Tupai (c)

7. Josh Buggea

8. Joel Conlon

Replacements:

16. Charlie Clare

17. Camilo Parilli-Ocampo

18. Mike Howard

19. Justin Blanchet

20. Peter White

21. Myles Dorrian

22. Henry Staf