Bedford v Hartpury

[Mellsblue]

The big Friday night match is of course Bedford v Hartpury. If you want to watch open, running rugby then the match is streamed on Facebook and championshiprugby.co.uk

A few injuries and some rotation means it’s not Bedford’s strongest XV; but, if you are sensible and do want to watch then, beyond the obvious Dickson, Czekaj and Lindsay, the Bedford players to look out for are Hooley at 10 - class above at this level - Rich Lane at 13 - pace of a winger and a lovely outside arc - and Williams and Adams - both big ball carriers with the odd tasty off-load. Watch for Burns of the bench - normally the fastest man on the pitch and is always the first man on the shoulder for a line break. Edgson is also quality and I suspect will be back in the Prem soonish. Le Bourgeois, or Booj, is club captain and normally first name on the team sheet. He’s bound to come on at some point, probably 12, and is a class player. Lots of nice touches and invariably makes the correct decisions. Probably not quite Prem level but top draw in the Champ. Notable mention for Tupai who I believe/assume is the oldest man in the world still being paid to play rugby. If nothing else it’s worth watching to marvel at how a man of Carrick-Smith’s size never breaks a tackle.

[Peej]

How is Lindsay getting on? Has he found his level?

[Mellsblue]

I haven’t really seen him play. I’ve only watched three matches and he was injured early in the first one, still injured in the second and came off the bench for the third last week. From what little I’ve seen and from what I’ve heard, he doesn’t standout as much as you would hope and Edgson is the better player.

[fivepointer]

has the link with Saracens come to an end? Unless i'm mistaken i don think there's anyone dual registered in the Bedford line up.

[Banquo]

I haven’t really seen him play. I’ve only watched three matches and he was injured early in the first one, still injured in the second and came off the bench for the third last week. From what little I’ve seen and from what I’ve heard, he doesn’t standout as much as you would hope and Edgson is the better player.

saw Hooley play at schoolboy level; he's never seemed to have that much opportunity with Saints or Chiefs tbh.

[Peej]

I haven’t really seen him play. I’ve only watched three matches and he was injured early in the first one, still injured in the second and came off the bench for the third last week. From what little I’ve seen and from what I’ve heard, he doesn’t standout as much as you would hope and Edgson is the better player.

Another former Wasps hooker (though one who never really had a proper shot due to injury). Ibanez will be turning out for you next. Big Trevor Leota is still playing too - potentially challenging Tupai's old man status.

[Mellsblue]

has the link with Saracens come to an end? Unless i'm mistaken i don think there's anyone dual registered in the Bedford line up.

It’s still there but not as much in evidence. We’ve a much larger squad than last year and are training far more regularly. I believe most are pretty much full time though getting info out of the club is hard. Whether this is us getting our act together - I believe some of the local wealthy, especially one family in particular, have put their hands in their pockets recently and become more involved in long term planning - or been forced upon us due to the new, supposedly enhanced A league I don’t know. Both Nay and Gallagher are DR.

[francoisfou]

Is that the Chris Czekaj who played for Colomiers for a season or two? (There can't be many with that name!)
Is he Bedford's regular full-back?

[Mellsblue]

Is that the Chris Czekaj who played for Colomiers for a season or two? (There can't be many with that name!)
Is he Bedford's regular full-back?

Yes and yes.

[Mellsblue]

Bedford 33 v 7 Hartpury

Apologies if you did watch on my recommendation. Not Bedford’s best performance. Very prosaic by our standards.