By Will Hopper
Yorkshire Carnegie will be looking to lift themselves off the bottom of the table when they take on Bedford Blues at Emerald Headingley Stadium tomorrow.
It’s been a miserable start to the 2018/19 Greene King IPA Championship campaign for Carnegie as they have only been victorious in one of their first five matches. Last weekend, Yorkshire hit rock bottom as they were defeated comfortably 36-19 by previously bottom club Jersey Reds.
Despite having a mountain of injuries to overcome, players are now making their way back into the starting line-up but it seems that there is a revolving door at Headingley: One in, one out. Fly half Brendan Cope has been ruled out for the foreseeable future after it was announced that he has suffered an ACL injury. The South African joined Carnegie this summer from the Reds and has been the most influential player on the pitch this season for his new side. However, he now joins both Back Row player Lewis Wilson and prop Ewan McQuillin on the long-term injury list.
There is a little bit of good news for Yorkshire Carnegie fans as long-term absentee, prop Marc Thomas, should be returning to action tomorrow against Bedford.
After winning their opening two matches against Nottingham and Jersey respectively, The Blues are currently on a three-game losing streak. However, they will surely smell blood in the water against a damaged Carnegie side.
Both sides are desperate for a win and fans will be hoping for another thrilling encounter between the two clubs. When Bedford made the long trip up to Yorkshire last season, they were denied a draw despite a desperate late effort. The Blues dug out of a 38-24 hole but a late try went off the upright in the 84th minute allowing to claim a high-scoring 38-36 victory.
Kick-off is set for 3pm Saturday at Emerald Headingley Stadium.