The Bedford Blues have moved quickly to strengthen their back division with the signing of Marcus Kershaw, who returns to the 15-a-side game after several seasons on the international sevens circuit.
From sevens speed to Championship rugby
Kershaw, 25, joins the Blues ahead of the new RFU Championship season, bringing with him the kind of pace and finishing ability honed on the World Series and international sevens. He spent a number of years with the England sevens programme before that pathway merged into a Great Britain setup in 2023, and has been a prominent figure on the 7s circuit.
On signing for Bedford, Kershaw said he was "really excited" to return to the 15-a-side game. The move signals a shift back to the more structured, contact-heavy format after the free-running demands of sevens rugby.
Background and development
The forward-looking recruitment follows a formative education in the English game. Kershaw came through the Brunel University system and spent time with Ealing Trailfinders Academy as part of his early rugby development. He was also invited to train with the England Under-20s, a sign of the potential seen in his formative years.
Bedford's coaching staff will be aiming to translate the virtues of sevens rugby — sharp footwork, decision-making in space and finishing — into the 15-a-side patterns the Championship demands. Kershaw is described as able to cover several positions in the backs, an attribute that offers selection flexibility across a long and gruelling season.
- Age: 25
- Sevens experience: England sevens, later Great Britain 7s (post-2023 merger)
- Education & development: Brunel University; Ealing Trailfinders Academy; England U20 training invite
- Role at Bedford: Versatile back, returning to 15s for the Championship season
What this means for Bedford Blues
For Bedford, a club that has mixed ambitions of pushing for promotion and developing a distinct playing identity in the Championship, Kershaw's arrival is notable. The city has long supported its rugby side as a local sporting focal point, and acquisitions that promise both dynamism and adaptability are likely to be welcomed by supporters.
Sevens converts have in the past provided Championship and Premiership clubs with a different dimension — pace in the outside channels, an eye for exploiting overlaps, and conditioned fitness that can be a tactical advantage late in matches. How quickly Kershaw adapts to the set-piece and defensive structures of 15s will be a matter for the coaching team, but his background suggests an ability to learn and apply skills across formats.
"I am really excited to return to the 15-a-side game with Bedford Blues," Kershaw said on joining the club.
Bedford's supporters will be watching to see where Kershaw slots into the backline, and whether his sevens pedigree will be harnessed in counter-attacking play or as an injection of pace from the bench.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 25 |
| Previous development | Brunel University; Ealing Trailfinders Academy; England U20 training |
| Sevens career | England sevens, later Great Britain 7s (post-2023) |
| Role at Bedford | Versatile back, returning to 15s |
While the full contours of the Blues' recruitment and tactical plans for the season will clarify over the coming weeks, this signing underlines the club's intention to blend experienced campaigners with players who bring different skill sets from alternative rugby pathways.
For Bedford residents, who treat the Blues as part of the city's sporting fabric, the acquisition offers a fresh prospect to follow: a local team importing international sevens experience into Championship rugby, and the hope that a player with electric pace can add both style and substance to the team’s attacking options.
