Rae backs loan duo to show Ex-factor with Cov
HEAD coach Alex Rae says he is looking forward to how youngsters Shea Cornish and Danny Southworth step up to the challenge after joining Coventry Rugby on loan.
Winger Cornish, 21, and prop Southworth, 22, have linked up with Cov on a season-long loan from Premiership side, Exeter Chiefs.
Rae says the signings are a reflection of a positive relationship between the two clubs after previous successful loan spells of Chiefs players at Butts Park, such as Jordon Poole and Matt Johnson.
“We’ve got a great relationship with Exeter and we are really pleased that they trust us to develop their up and coming players in our environment,” said Rae.
Truro-born Cornish started with Penzance-newlyn Under-11s and joined Exeter in 2019 on a senior academy contract.
“Shea is a really exciting winger,” said Rae. “[Defence coach] James Scaysbrook coached him previously and only had good things to say, so we’re really excited to see him and get the best out of him.”
Southworth, born in Barnstaple, is a product of the Exeter Chiefs Academy set-up and began playing rugby at an early age for his hometown club, Barnstaple RFC.
Since being with the Chiefs, Southworth has garnered game time with Barnstaple, Chinnor and, more recently, Plymouth Albion in National League One.
He has also featured for the Chiefs first team in the Premiership Rugby Cup and the Gallagher Premiership, where he capped his maiden appearance with a try in their away game against Wasps in October 2020.
Rae believes Coventry will be the perfect next stage of development.
“Danny is a big ball-carrying prop and the Championship is going to be great for him in terms of set-piece. We look forward to seeing him develop,”
We’ve got a great relationship with Exeter...they trust us to develop their up and coming players in our environment.
Alex Rae
said the Cov boss. Meanwhile, Coventry will face Welsh Indigo Premiership side, Merthyr RFC in their opening pre-season friendly. The contest will take place at the Butts Park Arena on Saturday August 13, KO 3pm, and will be followed by a visit from Birmingham Moseley a week later. Merthyr have a proud history as 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 Welsh
Premiership Champions, and also lifted the National Cup in 2018.
Tickets are £10 for adults and £3 for under-16s.
“This should be a really good challenge for the group,” said Rae.
“Merthyr have got some really good experience in their squad made up of ex-welsh internationals and former Pro14 players.
“It’s always good to get games against teams and clubs that you don’t know especially well, and we’re looking forward to welcoming their players and fans to Butts Park.”