Long wait now over as Cov get cup campaign started
COVENTRY Rugby’s coaching group recalls five players to the match day squad that faces Doncaster Knights in the Championship Cup at Castle Park today (2.30pm kick off ).
In the pack, James Voss and Alex Woolford return from concussion to start on the blindside flank and in the second row respectively. With his suspension complete, Phil Boulton is named as back-up tight head for the first time since mid-September.
The club captain is joined in an impactful replacements bench by former Gloucester hooker Darren Dawidiuk, who is set to make his Cov debut after recovering from a bicep injury sustained in pre-season. And following a lively display against Canada on Monday, full back James Stokes has overcome the hamstring strain suffered during October to wear the No.22 shirt.
Behind the scrum, Coventry’s coaching group names the same starting line-up which was part of the 20-15 league win over Yorkshire Carnegie two weekends ago. This means Junior and Andy Bulumakau – both of whom are former Doncaster players – again feature, while Will Maisey and Tom Kessell combine at half-back. A third former Knight, Jack Ram, joins Voss and Adam
All the romance of the knock-out stages is just around the corner if we can get out of the pool stages.
Peters in the starting back row, where Ben Nutley and Ben Adams provide cover from the bench. Director of rugby Rowland Winter said: “Doncaster have had a difficult start to the season with Clive Griffiths’ health issues, and it’s good to see he’s back involved this weekend. They are a good squad with lots of experience, so whatever side they put out we’re expecting a tough away game at a club who we expect to do well in this pool.
“But we need to concentrate on ourselves, and use this game as a chance to kick on.
“The cup is a great opportunity for us and our starting point is that we are trying to win it.
“The club hasn’t been part of a cup competition for a long time, and the knock-out stages and all the romance that brings are just around the corner if we can get out of the pool stages.”