Four coaches heading to the cup final
FOUR coaches full of Coventry Rugby fans will be heading to Ealing tomorrow for their first cup final in 48 years.
Not since the Clubs Championship at Twickenham Stadium in 1974 have the Blue and Whites gone into a knockout match knowing a win will deliver them silverware.
More than two months after the 2021/22 Championship season ended with Ealing lifting the title and Cov finishing 35 points adrift in eighth, the Cup will be lifted at Trailfinders Sports Ground on Saturday for only the second time.
Ealing lifted the trophy in 2018 before Covid put paid to the following two competitions.
Cov progressed to the final by beating both Ampthill and Doncaster Knights over two legs before travelling to Jersey last week on a five day turnaround and winning 20-17.
Alongside the four coaches organised by Coventry Rugby Supporters’ Club, the club is sending a coach for non players, family members and staff. Earlsdon RFC is also sending a coach down to London.
It promises to be a busy day in the capital as nearby Wembley Stadium and Twickenham Stadium are in use.
A big crowd is expected under the arch for the League One play-off final between Sunderland and Wycombe Wanderers while HQ is hosting Harlequins v Gloucester. Saracens are also playing Northampton Saints a little later in the evening at 5.30pm.
Coach Alex Rae wants his side to use their underdog tag to full advantage to keep the pressure off and smiles on faces against a side who are chasing a league-and-cup double.
Rae said: “The way this cup competition is structured, you’re constantly chasing your tail, not really knowing what’s going on from one week to the next.
“Behind the scenes there’s been a lot of finding out about tickets, coach travel, things like that. For the players, we don’t need to flog them at this time of the year, it’s just about preparation and getting the bodies right, getting our plans in place, to keep that smile on our face and take it into the weekend.”
See Monday’s Coventry Telegraph for a match report and reaction from the Championship Cup final.