Bedford Blues postponed match vs Doncaster Knights has been rearranged to take place at Goldington Road on Wednesday 17th April, Kick Off 7:45pm.
All match tickets purchased for the original date are valid for this game and gates will open at 5pm.
The most talked about head to head battle in European rugby is set to take place at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday week, when Sam Warburton’s Cardiff Blues take on Justin Tipuric’s Ospreys.
The Wales flankers, who played side by side in Wales’ record 30-3 victory over England on Saturday and picked up successive Man of the Match awards as Wales closed in on the RBS 6 Nations title, are set to come face to face in the second of the Rabo Direct PRO12 double headers at the home of Welsh rugby on Easter Saturday (March 30).
It will be the first time the pair have come up against each other in a competitive match despite battling for starting places for Wales, and coming through the Welsh international set-up together. In what will be an enthralling encounter across the board, with the Ospreys fighting for a place in the Rabo Direct PRO12 play-offs, that one on one tussle will excite all rugby supporters and observers alike, not least the Lions selectors ahead of Warren Gatland’s squad announcement for the tour to Australia.
Warburton said, “I think I’ve only played against the Ospreys twice, most recently at home at the Cardiff City Stadium on New Year’s Eve 2010 where we narrowly won 27-25 with Marty Holah in the Ospreys side. That was a good memory but the year before, we played away on New Year’s Day 2010 and lost 26-0 so that was a bad one. It’s a mixed bag but I’m really looking forward to this one.
“I’ve never played against Justin Tipuric before, seven on seven. It’s a battle I’m really looking forward to, especially in the contact area. It’s well publicised how important that area is in the modern game so whoever comes out on top in that area will have an advantage. It will be an interesting one.”
The Blues flanker reckons the Ospreys will provide a threat throughout the side but especially in the forwards. “I think the Ospreys will go for us up front. Their whole pack is a threat and I couldn’t single out one player. I’ve been really impressed with them this season. They seem to have great unity whoever plays and so they’ll be a huge challenge.
“Bradley Davies will be a big miss for us, especially against the Ospreys, as that game would have suited him down to the ground. Lloyd Williams will be important, he’s an immense player. He doesn’t get as much publicity as some but he’s very good at keeping the tempo going which is how the Blues want to play. A hard pitch should allow him to flourish.
"He’s an old school nine with a great pass, a great dummy and great pace. He’s immensely fit, reads the game well and knows when to kick. He can surprise a few people – when he gets given a chance he always impresses.”
Warburton is relishing the chance to get back onto the Millennium Stadium pitch, and this time in his regional colours. “I haven’t played a regional game at the Millennium Stadium before – some of the players have played Heineken Cup knock-out games there. I’m very proud to play for the Blues and it will be really exciting to play here. I’m sure it will be a match no player will have to get motivated for, especially for us. We can’t make the latter stages so this is one game everyone wants to be involved with.”
Warburton’s Wales back row team mate and opposite number Justin Tipuric is also looking forward to Judgement Day. “I’ve played twice against the Blues. In one game, we were down to six men in the scrum against them in the LV= Cup and we were on our own line. Everyone thought the Blues would get a push over try but our front five managed to push them off the ball, so that’s something that stands out. They’re physical derby games and ones everyone wants to win.”
Tipuric is taking nothing for granted as the Wales players return to their regions after the RBS 6 Nations. “Sam Warburton and I have done ok in the same team but we have to go back and win our places in the regional sides now. As a team, we will have to be disciplined as the Blues have got a great kicker in Halfpenny, and Cuthy and Leigh can finish the scores. But it’s going to be a physical game and we need to be aware of their pack.
“You can’t give away too many penalties in a derby game like this. That’s going to be crucial. It’s about the team more than anything and the 15 players on the pitch. Hopefully we will play well as a team and if we do that then we can hopefully get the win.
“We’ve got a game with the Dragons on Friday night and then obviously the big one on Judgement Day so hopefully we’ll build some momentum going into that. I think it will be exciting and we can play some open, running rugby in front of a good crowd back at the Millennium Stadium.”
Judgement Day – Millennium Stadium, Saturday 30 March
Dragons v Scarlets 2.30pm
Blues v Ospreys 5.15pm
Bedford Blues have apologised to all their fans after they were forced to move the postponed British & Irish Cup game against Bedwas.
Due to circumstances beyond the Blues control, the game, which was scheduled to kick off at 2pm on Saturday 2nd February, has now been rescheduled to 7.30pm on Friday 1st February.
The RFU received confirmation of a ruling from the WRU on Thursday night (24th January) that states that Welsh clubs may not play matches on Saturdays when Wales are playing an international fixture at home meaning that Bedwas would be unable to fulfil the rearranged fixture.
As a result, both clubs agreed this afternoon (25th January) that playing the fixture the evening before would be the most beneficial solution.
Bedford Blues are now hastily finalising arrangements to stage the match on Friday night, where a win will see the Blues secure top seeding and an all-important home quarter final against Llanelli
The Blues are urging all available supporters to come down to Goldington Road and support the team in these difficult circumstances and season ticket holders are reminded their tickets are valid for this match as are any previously purchased tickets for the original fixture.
This latest change will see the Blues go an entire month without a home game and no match day revenue since the 26th December 2012, meaning a good level of support for the only two home fixtures in February is crucial.
Cardiff Blues return to LV=Cup action this weekend taking on Saracens in their new ground, Allianz Park.
Cardiff Blues are currently third in Pool 2 behind Worcester Warriors and Sale Sharks but ahead of Leicester Tigers. With teams in pool 1 playing those in pool 4 and teams in pool 2 take on teams in pool 3, round three sees the rest of the matches played on Saturday afternoon.
Sale Sharks play the Scarlets, Leicester Tigers play London Wasps and London Irish take on Worcester Warriors.
With Cardiff Blues having nine players in the Wales Six Nations squad Phil Davies has made a number of changes to the side that beat Sale Sharks in the Heineken Cup last Saturday.
Jason Tovey comes in at fullback, Owen Williams moves to the wing meaning there is a new centre partnership of Gavin Evans and Dafydd Hewitt. Harry Robinson remains on the other wing but there is a new halfback partnership with Ceri Sweeney linking up with Lewis Jones.
There is almost a totally new pack with Sam Hobbs the only player from the starting line up from last Saturday’s match.
Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, Phil Davies, said,
“The match against the Sale Sharks was a game we were able to field a full Welsh qualified team.”
“It shows that our Academy system is working well as it has done for a number of years.”
“It has produced some of the best players in Europe with the likes of Jamie Roberts, Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny.”
“There is a new crop of youngsters who have come through which is fantastic and it’s exciting to see these young players develop, and they will have an opportunity to show what they can do on Sunday.”
Sunday 27 January, 3pm kick off, Allianz Park, London.
Saracens v Cardiff Blues (KO 3pm)
Cardiff Blues 15. Jason Tovey 14. Owen Williams 13. Gavin Evans (c)12. Dafydd Hewitt 11. Harry Robinson 10. Ceri Sweeney 9. Lewis Jones
8. Robin Copeland 7. Rory Watts-Jones 6. Luke Hamilton 5. Macauley Cook 4. Michael Paterson 3. Beniot Bourrust 2. Kristian Dacey 1. Sam Hobbs
16. Rhys Williams 17. Nathan Trevett 18. Taufa’ao Filise 19. Cory Hill 20. Thomas Young 21 Alex Walker 22. Gareth Davies 23. Tom Williams
Not available for selection:
Andi Kyriacou- Neck operation return in April
Dan Fish- Suffered shoulder nerve palsy in match against Zebre. Return late January
Tom James- Fractured sesamoid (big toe). Surgery to remove pin on Wednesday 5th December, return in late February.
LONG TERM
Jake Copper- Woolley- right knee ACL injury 4 months
Tom Davies- ACL knee reconstruction this week, 4 months
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has made his first signing for next season with the capture of Welsh international Tom James from the Cardiff Blues.
The 25-year-old winger, who has agreed a two-year deal with the Aviva Premiership club, joins the Chiefs after a successful seven-year stint with the Welsh region.
Capped ten times by his country, James was on the score sheet when the Blues defeated Gloucester 50-12 in 2008 to lift the EDF Energy Cup, and he was also part of Cardiff’s Amlin Challenge Cup winning squad of 2010.
With 39 tries in 114 appearances for the Blues, Baxter believes his new recruit will help offer additional firepower to his attacking arsenal for next season.
“Obviously we are delighted to have got Tom on board,” said Baxter. “Each year what you have to try and do is progress and move forward as a squad. We’ve had a good look at Tom over a period of time and for us it’s difficult to ignore proven try-scorers, who have got a very good ability to break the gain line.
“One of Tom’s biggest attributes is his ability to beat that first tackle from almost any scenario and I think that is the biggest qualities you need when you come up against big, strong defences.
“He is a very professional trainer, he’s in exceptionally good physical nick; he’s incredibly quick and, as I said, he has a great ability to beat the first defence and those are key attributes for us.”
James, who joined the Blues in 2006 from Merthyr RFC, wasted little time in making an impression at his new club as he scored a try on his first-team debut against Edinburgh.
Since then, the hard-running winger has represented Wales not only at full international level, but also at Sevens and Under-20s standard.
And Baxter believes a willingness to work hard, both in training and in matches, will help re-ignite the player in his bid to add to his current tally of international caps.
He added: “Having met Tom what I liked about him from the outset was that he was keen to challenge himself in a new environment. He wants a different challenge to the Rabodirect Pro12, a competition he has done very well for Cardiff in for a number of years, and for us it’s a good match-up.
“He’s a guy who is still relatively young and still developing as a player, but he acknowledges there are areas of his game that he can add to and he wants the challenge of attacking the Premiership and hopefully the Heineken Cup with us.
“Adding pace and someone who can break the gain line like he does is something we are keen to add. At the moment we have some very good wing options here, but we feel this is one of those recruitment options that will only improve the squad further.
“From talking to Tom you could see he is ambitious and that includes trying to play at the highest level. Obviously he has played for Wales in the past and I am sure he will want to do that again in the future.
“We’ve made no secret of the fact that we want all of our players to be ambitious. We want them to be striving to play international rugby, not just for England, but for all the home nations.
“For the club, it’s fantastic to see Craig Mitchell back for Wales and it’s unfortunate TJ has picked up his injury and misses out with England. However, we are desperate to force through even more of our players into these international squads.”
The arrival of James to Sandy Park may signal the first of Baxter’s recruitment plans for next term, but the Exeter leader insists there will not be a plethora of new faces coming to Devon.
“We won’t want to add too many new faces,” said Baxter. “We’ve got a good academy group coming through at the moment and I think the guy that has stood out in the last couple of months has been Jack Nowell. When you look at him you say ‘what has he added to the squad?’
“Well, what Jack has added is that ability to break the gain line and you can see the difference that makes. Those are the kinds of backs we are looking to work with and alongside those attributes Tom has also got very good pace.
“He has played in Cup Finals, internationals and the Rabodirect for a number of years, yet we still feel he is a guy who has the mental capabilities to keep improving and developing. As I said, we are looking forward to working with him and seeing what he can bring to the team.”
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