Bedford Blues’ attacking style pays off for Ben Ransom

Ben Ransom says there is no better place to be than Bedford Blues as he awaits his Saracens first-team chance.
Full-back Ranson, 20, who has represented England at U16, U18 and last year was part of the U20 side that lost to New Zealand in the Junior World Championship final is currently dual-registered at Goldington Road.
And the full-back has certainly not wasted his time making an impression under Mike Rayer.
The Blues have started the Championship season in free-scoring style, a marked contrast to Sarries who ended a try drought of nearly five hours last weekend against London Welsh.
Ransom, who has split his time between outside centre and full-back this season, scored a last-gasp try to snatch a win for the Blues three weeks ago against Nottingham before running in another score last week in their 55-17 mauling of Plymouth.
And with Alex Goode set to join up with England for the autumn internationals next month Ransom knows if he continues to impress, his chance with his parent club will not be long in coming.
“There’s a great link between Mike Rayer and Saracens,” said Ransom, who made his Saracens Premiership debut back in the 2010/11 season with a man-of-the-match performance against Northampton.
“I understand that if I can keep playing well for Bedford then Sarries will keep a keen interest in me. When Alex Goode goes away with England, as I’m sure he will and deserves to, for the autumn internationals then I could be back at Saracens to cover for him.
“Games like the other week when I got the winning try against Nottingham are good examples of what I need to be doing to get noticed.
“A lot has been said about Saracens’ problems scoring tries this season but I don’t buy into that, the foundation is there and it’s just a matter of time.
“With talent like Chris Ashton joining from Northampton this summer we have the ability.
“We’ve just had a couple of games where it did not run for us.”
While Saracens pride themselves on a solid defence and set-piece, the Blues, under Rayer’s guidance, have developed a reputation as a side that loves to throw the ball around.
And after an unbeaten start to the Championship season Ransom admits that he could not have found a better club set-up in which to continue his learning curve.
“I just love the way Bedford play,” he added. “The crowd are fantastic at Goldington Road and we’ve run in a lot of tries this season so far which is great.
“In terms of physicality I haven’t really noticed any difference between the Premiership and the Championship.
“Although, certainly the pace is a bit slower overall.
“But playing for a side like Bedford where we love to get the ball out wide and run around the pace is so high that it’s not all that different, to be quite honest.
“All in all, it’s great experience for me.”
CHARLIE TALBOT-SMITH