LUCK OF THE IRISH... Cov bid for upset

COVENTRY hand first league starts to Dan Lewis and Donald Brighouse today as they bid to turn the tables on leaders London Irish in round 15 of the Greene King IPA Championship.

Lewis, who has consistently impressed from the bench and during Cov’s Championship Cup campaign, is named at fly-half for the trip to the Madejski Stadium, and Samoa international tight head Brighouse swaps starting and bench roles with Phil Boulton in an otherwise unchanged front row from last Saturday’s home win over Hartpury.

Irish have lost just once all season but Cov director of rugby Rowland Winter said says his side wil relish the tag as ‘underdogs.’

“London Irish are top of the table which tells us they are the best team in the league with plenty of resources,” he said.

“I therefore expect a tough game, but on both occasions we have played them this year we have shown there is perhaps not such a big gap as you would expect between a side that has come down from the Premiership and one that has come up from National One.

“We know we’re underdogs, but are happy with that tag, and go there with all the pressure on them since they can’t afford a slip-up.”

Lewis’ inclusion means Will Maisey rotates to the replacements, and the 23-year-old No 10 partners the experienced Tom Kessell at half-back in a back line that is otherwise unchanged.

This means Tonga international David Halaifonua again appears at full-back, the Bulumakau brothers fill the wing berths and Rob Knox combines with captain Heath Stevens in the centre.

Cov’s coaching group have named fit-again James Voss alongside Tom Jubb in the second row, while Alex Woolford makes his return from a toe injury in the No.6 shirt.

Hooker Darren Dawidiuk and newly-signed prop Gerard Ellis are in line to face their former club from the replacements’ bench where they are part of a five-two forwards-backs split.

COVENTRY: James Gibbons, Scott Tolmie, Donald Brighouse, James Voss, Tom Jubb, Alex Woolford, Ben Nutley, Ben Adams, Tom Kessell, Dan Lewis, Andy Bulumakau, Heath Stevens (c), Rob Knox, Junior Bulumakau, David Halaifonua. Replacements: Darren Dawidiuk, Gerard Ellis, Phil Boulton, Dan Faleafa, Latu Makaafi, Pete White, Will Maisey.