Semi Final Blues v Coventry

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Agree with your team selection. Most of the starting lineup picks itself but I think some bench spots are up for grabs. I too am baffled why Hutler has barely got a look in 2nd half of the season, he’s still one of the best wingers in the league on his day imo. I’d start him over Caqusau but would be surprised if he does.

Booj came off against Ealing with what look liked a serious arm injury. I would be surprised if he’s fit to play. Would be a big blow if so, but would expect Thame to start and Pasco to the bench in that scenario (I hope we don’t go 6:2 as last time we did that against Nottingham we paid for it). Apparently DRs need to have played 6 league games to be eligible in the playoffs. It may not be coincidence that Thame featured in the last 6…

I also don’t think Tonga will be available as Saints have 2 injured tightheads at the moment so I’m not sure they’ll risk him playing for us. They don’t have a game so he won’t be travelling reserve at least. I hope I’m wrong but it’ll be Ben Griffin on the bench if so. I’d expect Evans to have the bench 2nd row spot (Ainsworth-Cave will be ineligible). Hooker could go either way, it doesn’t matter too much which one starts. I’d go Sylvester on the bench but 50:50 call with Finch.

Don’t worry about Le Bourgeois, he will play…

Bench I did struggle with as it is a little dependent on which Saints we can have. Brown seems a certainty having been released. I agree with Evans, he had a good game away against Worcester, which would have been a new experience for a young player.

I’m looking forward to a very tense evening as I’m sure it’s going to be very close contest . Cov have some excellent form recently and are always looking to put one over on us.
Hopefully a big crowd will see the Blues home.
Am I right in thinking if we win and Worcester manage to bear Ealing (unlikely) the final would be at Bedford ?

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Old blue
I’m looking forward to a very tense evening as I’m sure it’s going to be very close contest . Cov have some excellent form recently and are always looking to put one over on us.
Hopefully a big crowd will see the Blues home.
Am I right in thinking if we win and Worcester manage to bear Ealing (unlikely) the final would be at Bedford ?

Correct

It will be a tight game on Friday. In terms of games between the clubs this season, honours are pretty even. Both have seven points from the two games. Bedford edge it in points for and against 68-66.
Coventry have played well this season earning their home quarter final. But so have Bedford who should take heart from some fantastic play. The skillsets and abilities of this squad have been on display throughout the season and this game is an opportunity to demonstrate that coming second in the regular season, two seasons running is no fluke.
The break will hopefully have restored energy levels to bring against a team that will be intent on getting to the final. Blues must bring the greater intensity and determination to thwart Coventry. COYB

This will be a very close, tense and hopefully enjoyable game in my opinion.
Probably a closer competitor to us than Warriors this season, based on consistency and results.
Looking forward to seeing how we perform after one weekend off. All in our heads, if even true. If we cannot be motivated for this one, then we have different issues.

Hopefully big crowd with all the sold seats full!
COYB

The Blues will be relishing this game, Coventry have been playing well towards the end of the season, we always raise our game for teams we perceive are stronger than us.

Whoever gets to play will be elated and those that don't will be gutted.

This will be a roller coaster game for both teams, this could be decided on the final kick.

The deciding factor will be the crowd get behind the boys in Blue. ....COYB

No Rory Ward tomorrow, which is a blow. Archie Benson starts in the 2nd row. Otherwise team is as expected and looks very strong. Glad that Hutler got the nod on the wing. Fish starts at hooker but I’m sure Herman will be given a good 30 mins to make an impact in the 2nd half. Saints have allowed us Tonga despite their injury problems.

With Ward missing, I would’ve had Sylvester on the bench for sure. We are going to be very reliant on Woolford in the lineout.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:21:12:01:01 by Bluesman23.

Nice piece on BBC rugby website regarding Blues. Mike Rayer did a good interview. Great advert for the club. COYB

Am a Cov fan coming over for my first visit to Goldington Road tomorrow. Previous form from both teams suggests we're in for a good game and the forecast looks like we've got the weather for it so very much looking forward to it!

Should be a good game against 2 good teams which either could win.

At the Corn Exchange last night, those present witnessed a performance of passion, energy and power. The players were confident in their own skillsets, confident in the abilities of those around them and so were able to play together as one unit. It was an incredible performance that did justice to the commitment and dedication of the players to their art Last night the Philharmonia Orchestra, in their last performance of the season, owned the music.

And so to tonight's game. A game that will require of the Blues an equal passion, an equal energy and plenty of power. A game where Blues players' dedication and commitment to the shirt, the Club and each other over the season is once more on display. Depending on the result tomorrow, this may be the last home game of the season. Blues, this is your town, your turf, own the game.

One of the pieces played? Calm Sea and a Prosperous Voyage. COYB

As a side issue to tonight's game does the Blues benefit from the gate receipts or have to share them with Coventry or even with the organisers of the Champ League?

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compo simonite
As a side issue to tonight's game does the Blues benefit from the gate receipts or have to share them with Coventry or even with the organisers of the Champ League?

Split 50:50 for some inexplicable reason. Financially, best result would’ve been away at Worcester.

There were lots of seats available on the ticket site last night, hopefully season ticket holders are aware that tonight's game is NOT part of the season ticket

It will be interesting what the attendance will be.

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compo simonite
There were lots of seats available on the ticket site last night, hopefully season ticket holders are aware that tonight's game is NOT part of the season ticket
It will be interesting what the attendance will be.

Worcester and Coventry both got well below their average attendance for their games last week. We’ve had longer to market ours, but wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not as large as I think we’re hoping for. I’m expecting those there will make twice the noise though.

Bedford's game tonight was featured on Look East at lunchtime and maybe on the early evening edition

Well what you can say after that 2nd half performance. Simply outstanding. Hard to pick out individuals but Woolford got MOTM, which was a reasonable call. Titherington was immense during his 60 minutes. Hutler justified his recall. Deano was Deano. Booj rolled back the years. But my MOTM was Worth, just an absolute monster game from him.

One more game… Let’s see what happens tomorrow but I’m sure we’ll all be Worcester supporters for a day. Ideally, we will put out close to the same squad for the final. Not sure on Ward’s injury but he plays if fit. I wouldn’t bank on Tonga being available. The only injury concern was Tui, who came off with a knock but it didn’t look too serious.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:22:21:56:54 by Bluesman23.

Absolutely fabulous.

Every single player in the squad gave everything. Last ditch tackles. Effective kick chase. Every bench player added impetus. Sometimes heart and attitude are tremendous, but combined with no shortage of talent and great coaching and we saw the result.

Well played everyone, including the majority of the 3893 crowd.

That could be deemed an all time classic. Cannot wait to see it again on Clubber rerun.

It was a demolition....nothing less than a total demolition of a professional side.

I think this Blues side is among the best teams of modern time, and I was privileged to watch them.

ATT 3898

Blues were awesome, just watching it back on Clubber now.

It was the defence as much as the attack, which was impressive. It would great if Worcester win to have a home final and a huge injection of cash. Although getting to the final is an impressive achievement and whoever we play if we play as we did today we have the opportunity to win it.

In the words of the song, where in there's only one f in Bedford did that second half performance come from?
The first half held up to expectation - a close tussle between two equally matched teams. Cov's team sheet in the published programme bore little relation to that appearing on the pitch. After that second half, those players will be grateful for their annonimity. Don't get me wrong, a couple of Prem sides would have found it hard to live with that onslaught.
Woolford deserved his motm, but there were several players who put their hand up saying me, me, me. If the Prem scouts were out, there were a number of performances to look at again.
The first half may have been a case of Calm Sea, but the second was no case of Prosperous Voyage, more a case of the Dambusters theme. Once the defence was breached in the first ten minutes of the second. half, the flow was all down the slope.
Blues crossed the whitewash three times in the first half, all chalked off. No matter, repeat in those ten minutes of the second and make sure there can be no argument. Job done.
There is no doubt whose turf it was last night, whose town it was and who owned the game. A brilliant, brilliant advertisement for Champ Rugby for which both teams deserve immense credit.
Definitely supporting Worcester this afternoon. I hope other Blues supporters will post to the Worcester section of this site to show our support and look forward to welcoming them back to GR a week tomorrow. Strange to say but, come on you Warriors (for one week only)

Home final secured!

One selection change I might make now. I’d start Jamie Jack and bring Joey Conway on at half time. Conway has demolished Tim Hoyt twice this season and he is likely to be bench prop for Worcester.

Well played Worcester, but to be honest they didn’t have to raise their game too much as they stifled Ealing well all game. Final at Bedford. Thank you Rugby Gods.

The key to next week is going to be finding a way to somehow keep Naulago quiet. He is going to keep Booj and Titherington very busy.

Coventry had Bavadra who is similar.