Warriors pair get the nod for Cov debuts
FORMER Worcester Warriors pair Will Chudley and Tom Dodd will make their Coventry debuts against Cornish Pirates this afternoon in their Championship Round 6 contest (3pm).
Alex Rae has selected the new signings at scrum-half and blindside flanker respectively for the Butts Park Arena clash which pits sixth versus seventh.
The squad has a similar feel to that which was victorious against London Scottish nearly a fortnight ago, but also bears some fresh faces and a long-awaited return from injury.
Toby Trinder lines up as captain once more, and is accompanied in the front row by Suva Ma’asi at hooker – fresh from his hat-trick in the capital – and Harry Seward in the number three jersey.
James Tyas starts in the second row and this week is joined by Fred Betteridge who shifts to lock from the back row.
Dodd is joined on the back of the scrum by Josh Bainbridge and Senitiki Nayalo at number 8 while Chudley will be partnered by Pat Pellegrini at half-back.
Ollie Betteridge shifts back to inside centre, and will find Will Rigg outside him in the 13 channel.
The starting XV is completed with a back three that is filled to the brim with pace.
Shea Cornish starts for the first time since his disciplinary, and is mirrored by Will Talbot-davies on the opposite wing.
Louis Brown starts at full-back to complete the back three to face the Cornish.
Versatile back-row forward Adam Peters makes a welcome return to the playing squad, having completed his rehabilitation from a knee injury he picked up in Coventry’s final pre-season match against Bath.
Peters is joined by fellow forwards Ollie Stone, Ollie Andrews, Jake Bridges and Tom Ball on the list of replacements.
Options in the backs come in the shape of Will Lane, Evan Mitchell and James Martin.
Winger Callum Sirker will be the only change in the Cornish Pirates’ ranks from their previous outing, a 15-13 win against Ampthill in Penzance.
COVENTRY RUGBY: 1 Toby Trinder (c), 2 Suva Ma’asi, 3 Harry Seward, 4 James Tyas, 5 Fred Betteridge,
6 Tom Dodd, 7 Josh Bainbridge, 8 Senitiki Nayalo; 9 Will Chudley, 10 Pat Pellegrini; 11 Shea Cornish, 12 Ollie Betteridge, 13 Will Rigg, 14 Will Talbot-davies, 15 Louis Brown.
Replacements: 16 Ollie Stone, 17 Ollie Andrews, 18 Jake Bridges, 19 Adam Peters, 20 Tom Ball, 21 Will Lane, 22 Evan Mitchell, 23 James Martin.
CORNISH PIRATES: 1 Marlen Walker, 2 Will Crane, 3 Harvey Beaton, 4 Cory Teague, 5 Will Britton, 6 Alex Everett, 7 John Stevens (c), 8 Rusi Tuima; 9 Ruaridh Dawson, 10 Arwel Robson; 11 Tommy Wyatt, 12 Joe Elderkin, 13 Rory Parata, 14 Callum Sirker, 15 AJ Cant. Replacements: 16 Max Norey, 17 Olly Adkins, 18 Jack Andrew, 19 James Fender, 20 Seb Nagle-taylor, 21 Tom Kessell, 22 Carwyn Penny, 23 Shae Tucker.