Three more commit to the Bedford Blues

Bedford Blues have announced that three more members of the current squad have signed new deals to keep them at Goldington Road next season.

Following on from the re-signings of Michael Le Bourgeois, Will Hooley, Josh Buggea and Ed Taylor, the Blues are pleased to confirm that fly half Harry Sheppard, utility back Rich Lane and second row Will Carrick-Smith have all extended their stays with the club.

Sheppard, 21, is a graduate of Moulton College where his impressive displays caught the eye of former Blue Jon Phillips as well as backs coach Paul Larkin but it was London Scottish who snapped him up and he went on to seamlessly make the transition into the first team where he flourished before moving to the Blues last summer.
 
Lane, 24, was born in Bedford the town and grew up playing for the junior Blues before going to Millfield School where he captained the under 16s Sevens team that won the Rosslyn Park National Schools title and the All England Sevens. He was previously a member of Northampton's Academy before signing for Bath where he scored a memorable hat-trick in the Amlin Cup against Mogliano. Before joining Jersey in 2015, Lane spent time in Australia with Sydney University Football Club and was also dual-registered with Cornish Pirates. He's been in electric form for the Blues throughout the season having racked up an impressive 12 tries in his debut campaign.
 
 
Lock Carrick-Smith, 26, joined the Blues from fellow Championship side London Scottish in 2016. The second row star who stands at an impressive six feet 11 inches and tips the scales at 130kg had one season at the Exiles having previously gained Premiership experience with Exeter Chiefs. He has gone on to form some fantastic partnerships this season with Jordan Onojaife and Ed Taylor as well as crossing the whitewash against Ospreys and picking up Man of the Match against Ulster A at the weekend.

Harry, Rich and Will join Josh Buggea, Will Hooley, Ed Taylor and Michael Le Bourgeois in signing for the 2018/19 season while Lee Dickson, Alex Rae, Jarad Williams, Chris Czekaj, Sean McCarthy and Ben Cooper all have another year on their current deals.