Coach not surprised by Dolly’s big impact

NIC Dolly’s sensational full Premiership debut for Leicester Tigers came as no surprise to Coventry defence coach James Scaysbrook.

In the absence of Julian Montoya, Tom Youngs and Charlie Clare, the hooker was selected to start against Exeter Chiefs and scored two tries in Leicester’s 34-19 opening round victory over Exeter Chiefs at Mattioli Woods Welford Road last weekend.

He was named in the Premiership Rugby team of the week alongside team-mates Ellis Genge, Dan Cole, Harry Wells, George Martin, Freddie Steward and Nemani Nadolo.

It marks a meteoric rise for the 21-year-old, who was released by Sale Sharks in 2020 before being picked up by Coventry ahead of the shortened 2021 Championship season.

Dolly scored a try in each of Coventry’s three opening rounds that season before being snapped up by Tigers in March.

“We’re proud of what Nic has achieved,” said former Exeter Chiefs and Bath forward Scaysbrook, who joined the Butts Park Arena club in March 2020.

“We knew how good a player Nic was, that’s why we signed him in the first place. He was a player capable of playing at that level so it’s no surprise to us to see him perform the way he has in the Premiership.”

Dolly’s swift transition from the Championship to the Premiership will also serve as a motivator for young players coming through the ranks at Coventry.

“We’re proud to have helped Nic along on his journey,” said Scaysbrook. “We’ve got so many young players coming through the system who can look up to what he has done.

“We’re really pleased for him and it’s a credit to him and the programme that we have put together here.”

Links between Tigers remain strong with on-loan prop Dan Richardson making his Coventry debut in their Championship opening round 39-22 win over Doncaster Knights.

Fellow loanee Sam AsplandRobinson picked up a niggle in the warm-up and was replaced in the line-up by former Tigers back Andy Forsyth.