Bedford - Northampton

Wishing no ill will on Bedford - the Top 4 will depend on the quality of the squad they retain (tbh - I do not know how good those who are remaining are - likelihood are some are good some aren't and probably squad players), and the quality of the players that are "signed" to them by Northampton and how good they are - considering they are unlikely to be top 3 choices in the Northampton squad based on the reasons stipulated in said agreement mentioned by their Chairman you would have to wonder what abilities they will bring to Bedford that Bedford couldn't do prior to this other than assisting with the purse strings. If Northampton has a great squad in depth then yes Bedford have every chance of being high up the table, conversely, if they don't well .....?

What I do agree with is that Bedford is very much likely to be around in 3 years time - which can only be good news for them and their supporters. 

Chris Boyd was clear that the saints players have to earn the right to start. His view is if they are good enough to be considered future saints players, then they should be able to force themselves into our lineup and if they can’t get into our team then they probably aren’t ready for the step up. I would say about 7 of our current retained players are nailed on starters. Whoever saints give us, they’re not going to displace Rich Lane from full back for example. Not sure if this type of thing will be factored into the players we receive.

Personally, for the reasons mentioned above I don’t expect us to be challenging towards the top of the table. Given our access to them, these are likely to be very fringe saints players. Some of these will no doubt be useful players, but some of them will probably turn out to not be high end championship players yet. I’m hoping we have Connor Tupai who would likely be our regular 9 and make a big impact, but I think we’d only get a player of his quality due to his personal links with the club (he is a fan after all).

Make no mistake though, this deal has not been made with the aim of pushing for a high league position. It’s been made to secure our financial health for the next 3 years whilst the pandemic/funding/league structure is in flux and, hopefully, to secure still being in the 2nd tier of English rugby at the end of it.

I don't think I've watched a game in recent years without both sides having premiership players in their side, who were loaned, lent or whatever the excuse was.

Most clubs have informal arrangements where players come and go and there is no consistency, all Bedford have done is formalise it.........

What makes me smile is that the "Bedford" fans who have voted with their feet where never happy anyway and spent most of time moaning even when we did well!

I will be there, look forward to it, and I don't think anyone in their right mind would be too concerned with final table position, we'll be glad to be there at all and will welcome everyone to our ground!

Don't worry you will be able to tell the Saints imports as they will be the only ones able to afford to wear socks!

Best of luck Bedord, I am sure you will have great success on the pitch and you have a fantastic support . . but what have you become?

I think it is more what have they stayed and they have stayed Bedford Blues RFC rather than Bedford Blues RFC deceased.

True they could make all their staff redundant and carry on as an amateur club at the lower levels if it came to it but maybe those running Bedford Blues think that the actions they have taken to protect jobs both on and off the field of play is the better approach.

When the players are loaned out semi long term it can work but in my opinion many players loaned to clubs are not the greatest players but there are the exceptions of course.