Mike Rayer confirms Bedford Blues squad for 2011/12
Bedford Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer has confirmed his 36 man squad for the 2011/12 Championship season after finalising a number of dual registration players with Aviva Premiership Rugby Champions Saracens.
There will be a number of familiar faces making the journey from Vicarage Road to Goldington Road along with a few new ones next season. Duncan Taylor, who signed for Saracens in the summer, Will Fraser and Jackson Wray will be joined by Harry Allen, Sam Stanley, Ben Ransom and Mako Vunipola.
Allen, 19, is a hooker who has played for Blackheath and impressed the Bedford Blues coaching staff during his two outings against the Barbarians during Mobbs Memorial matches at Goldington Road. Ransom made his Saracens debut against Northampton Saints last year and gives another option at fullback. The 19 year old has just enjoyed an outstanding tournament at the Junior World Cup.
Stanley, 19, has an impressive rugby background as the nephew of All Black legend Joe Stanley. The Centre made his Saracens debut in the friendly encounter against USA last November and was a regular with Saracens Storm as well as being dual registered with Barking RFC last season.
Vunipola is a name familiar with many Blues fans as the powerful prop who was a shining light for Bristol last season before being snapped up by Saracens. The New Zealand-born 20-year-old was part of the England Under-20s side that claimed a Grand Slam at this year’s Six Nations and also featured in the winning British & Irish Cup team that overcame Bedford in May.
Speaking about the squad, Rayer said: “I’ve been really pleased with our recruitment process during the off season and everyone is really excited about the year ahead. We experienced a fine working relationship with Saracens that benefitted both sides and we are delighted that this is continuing.
“The World Cup in September and October is going to have an effect on both ourselves and Saracens in terms of available players, but we have great depth and I’m sure that we will be able to cope.
“We already have a couple of injuries with Gregor Gillanders and Ian Vass out for several months of the season. Ben Lewitt is also a long-term absentee having suffered a recurrence of his knee ligament problem. Although he is not contracted to the club, we are assisting him with his rehabilitation and if he gets himself fit during the season, then I’m sure we can work something out.”
The Blues return to pre-season training this weekend and will be back in action at Goldington Road on August 19 when Saracens come to town before the season kicks off for real on September 3 with the first home game against London Welsh two weeks later on September 17.
The deadline for fans to take advantage of the Advance Season Ticket Discount is Thursday June 30, however the club will accept any applications that are delayed in the post and arrive early next week. With the advance match ticket discount set at £2 next year, a season ticket is the cheapest way to watch all of the Blues home games, saving Adults up to £102 on standard prices! Remember all Adult season ticket holders are entitled to a FREE hospitality lunch in the Marquee during the season.
Blues 2011/12 squad
Harry Allen*
Don Barrell
Josh Bassett
Tom Bedford
Phil Boulton
Brendan Burke
Neil Cochrane
Ollie Dodge
Jonathon Fisher
Will Fraser*
Gregor Gillanders
Sacha Harding
Mike Howard
Mark Kohler
Jamie Lennard
Stefan Liebenberg
Chris Locke
James Pritchard
Ben Ransom*
Alex Rae
Handre Schmidt
Dan Seal
Jake Sharp
Henry Staff
Sam Stanley*
Nico Steenkamp
Duncan Taylor*
Sean Tomes
Paul Tupai
Ian Vass
Darryl Veenendaal
David Vincent
Mako Vunipola*
Sam Walsh
Nick Walshe
Jackson Wray*
*Indicates dual-registration with Saracens
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