By James Pritchard

James Pritchard in action

It’s amazing what a week off from rugby does for the body. Not only do you get time to heal all those bumps and bruises you’ve been carrying around during the season but you come back feeling refreshed and energised like you haven’t played a game in a month. It also gives me plenty of time to spend with the kids as well as a lazy weekend in front of the TV catching up on whatever rugby code is on.

For myself, I would have to say Rugby League was the winner of the weekend, well the NRL over Super Rugby to be exact. While I had high hopes for the Aussie teams this year, especially the Waratahs, they just haven’t been living up to my expectations. But hopefully this weekend’s round of games will stop me switching over to the other code on Saturday morning.

This is the business end of the season and everyone knows you can’t afford to slip up here otherwise it’s the end of your season. And with a group like ours that feature the likes of Leeds, Pirates and our opponents this weekend Rotherham, you know every week is going to be like a Grand Final and you just can’t afford to slip up. Two great field sessions down and just the captains run tomorrow night, and there is a new found excitement in the team. 

If we can get ourselves a winning start on the weekend away up north then it will set us up nicely for our home game the following weekend against a Pirates side that have been on a roll of late but face a very determined Leeds team who know what big game footy is all about. 

The other big games this weekend in Playoff Pool A have Bristol travelling up to Doncaster while Nottingham head down to London to take on Welsh. Just before I wrap up the Championship, I’d like to wish a quick good luck to all the Canadian boys plying their trade in the Championship in their games this weekend. 

The Mackenzie boys at Esher take on Adam Kleeberger and his London Scottish side while down at Plymouth Tyler Hotson, the hippo himself Aaron Carpenter and SMS take on Moseley. Oh, and I can’t forget the powerhouse stick of rock Matty Evans who will hopefully have a cracking game against Leeds for the Pirates. 

Again I’m sure that’s enough from me for this week, good luck to everyone in their games this weekend and as I’ve said it before and will say it again “Come On You Blues”.

James Pritchard is a professional rugby player for the Bedford Blues and Canada. You can follow James on Twitter @JPritchard_21.