Brown to lead team against Bedford Blues

Newly appointed Club captain Tom Brown will lead the side for the first time when they take on Bedford Blues in their second pre-season match on Saturday.

Brown missed the 43-19 win over Newport, but he will pack down at number 8 between flankers Alex Bradley and Sean O’Connell.

The match at Vallis Way kicks off at 15.00.

“Bedford Blues are a great team who play an expansive game and on our new surface it should be quick and exciting to watch,” Director of Rugby Ben Ward said. “They beat us twice last year and have strengthened their squad further over the summer so will be a great challenge to see where we are.

“Last week was a solid start but I would like to see us improve in all areas. We need to be more clinical in attack as well as putting in a big defensive shift.

“Selection wise we are able to move some people around and look at different combinations this week. Some guys are coming back from injury and need games like this to get their sharpness back. It promises to be a cracking match so get down and support your team.”

Ward has again named a large squad and he will start as fly-half, alongside scrum-half Tom Parker, who came off the bench against Newport.

Romanian hooker Andrei Radoi also makes his first appearance of pre-season and reserves Karl Gibson, Ignas Darkintas and Gary Johnson are all likely to enjoy a first run-out before the big kick off.

New signing James Copsey goes straight into the squad and will begin on the bench.

Ealing Trailfinders v Bedford Blues, Vallis Way, 15.00
1 Jamie Kilbane
2 Andrei Radoi
3 Alex Penny
4 Mike Walker Fitton
5 Carwyn Jones
6 Sean O’Connell
7 Alex Bradley
8 Tom Brown (captain)
9 Tom Parker
10 Ben Ward
11 Sam Wardingley
12 Andy Reay
13 Ronnie McLean
14 Chris Kinloch
15 Matt Jarvis
Reserves
16 Kevin Davis
17 Karl Gibson
18 Ignas Darkintas
19 Gary Johnson
20 Llewelyn Jones
21 Danny Kenny
22 Morgan Thompson
23 Tom Wheatcroft
24 James Copsey