The Booj is back!

Saturday 10 September 2016

Michael Le Bourgeois will lead out Bedford Blues today as the former Reds star hopes to ruin the opening home game of the season for Jersey supporters.

Le Bourgeois was at Jersey Reds from the age of seven until he left for Bedford four years ago, making him one of the club’s longest serving players.

He admits it will be a hugely emotional occasion for him as he leads a side out for the first time at St Peter. 

“It will be very strange, but I will be very proud,” he said. “I love Jersey, love the Island, but I’m a Bedford player now so I will be giving it all for a Blues victory. 

“My mum and dad, Shirley and Mark, will be in the crowd and mum even works at the club! I don’t know who they will be supporting! I am sure they will have mixed emotions because they obviously want me to do well, but they are Reds fans. It’s a difficult one. I think I will personally know probably half the crowd, so it will be fantastic coming back. I’ve played at S Peter before, but never as captain so this makes it extra special.”

Le Bourgeois, or the Booj, left Jersey four years ago after deciding it was time to up sticks and move to Bedford. 

“I’d played all my rugby in Jersey and just thought it was the right time for a change. It was a tough decision but one I’ve never regretted. I really enjoy my rugby at Bedford and yet Jersey will always feel like home. When you live in Jersey and grow up there, you cannot help but feel a great affinity to the place. The people are wonderful, the climate is better than the UK and Island is a fantastic place.”

Bedford were beaten at home last weekend by Cornish Pirates, a real off day for the Blues according to the Booj. 

“We were poor and we got what we deserved. We just didn’t turn up and our game plan went out the window. All the players are very determined to put it right.”

Le Bourgeois says Jersey have continued to go from strength to strength since he left the club. 

“They are a real force in the Championship now,” he said. “They finished sixth last season and I can only see them getting better this time around. The whole set-up at St Peter is very professional and they are a club going places. 

“I think the result last week against Richmond showed how strong they are. We have to compete against that, get stuck in and really put them under pressure.”

Jersey beat Bedford in all three contests last season, twice in the league and also in the B and I Cup quarter-final. 

After the resounding victory at Richmond, coach Harvey Biljon has made only two changes to his starting XV, both in the pack. Pierce Phillips comes in at lock in place of Nick Campbell and with Gary Graham injured, Max Argyle comes into the team. Argyle's place on the bench is taken by James Doyle, who stands by to make his league debut for the Reds.

Starting XV for Jersey Reds v Bedford Blues (KO 15:00)

Jack Cuthbert, George Watkins, Regan King, Lewis Robling, Ross Adair, Brendan Cope, Kieran Hardy, Marc Thomas, Joe Buckle, Simon Kerrod, Pierce Phillips, Dave McKern, Max Argyle, James Freeman (capt), Nick Haining.