RUGBY UNION – Coventry Rugby name fit-again trio in squad for Leicester Tigers clash in Premiership Rugby Club

RUGBY UNION - Coventry Rugby name fit-again trio in squad for Leicester Tigers clash in Premiership Rugby Club
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COVENTRY Rugby’s hopes of claiming a Premiership Rugby Cup quarter-final berth have been boosted by the return to fitness of a trio of players.

Cov host Premiership giants Leicester Tigers at Btts Park Arena knowing that only a win will keep their hopes of reaching the last eight alive.

The two clubs both sit on 15 points in the Pool B standings with the Tigers ahead of Cov on points difference while Northampton Saints lead the way.

Only three of the five pool stage runners-up can qualify for the quarter-finals meaning both clubs will likely need a bonus point victory.

Cov skipper Jordon Poole has won his fitness battle to play in the middle of the front row between Toby Trinder and Vilikesa Nairau.

Second-row Rhys Anstey starts from the off after impressing as a replacement during Cov’s two most recent cup clashes in place of Obi Nkwocha.

Head coach Alex Rae names the same back-row for a fifth consecutive match with Chester Owen named alongside Dan Okeke as bench cover.

Behind the scrum, Ryan Hutler retains the full-back shirt with leading try scorer Jimmy Martin on the left wing and David Opoku on the right.

On-loan scrum-half Sam Maunder and in-form Tommy Mathews form the half-backs with Daf Tiueti named outside Tom Hitchcock in midfield.

Oli Morris is in-line to make his long-awaited return from a hand injury sustained in early October from the bench with Josh Barton, Charlie Robson and five forwards also available.

Rae said: “Leicester are one of the biggest clubs in Europe and they haven’t played a competitive game in Coventry for many years so it’s a really exciting prospect for everyone involved.

“We’re hoping it’s a sell-out and I know the lads are really looking forward to putting on a good performance in front of our own fans.

“We can’t control what happens in the other games around the country or who Leicester select to play against us so we’ll be focusing on ourselves and doing our best to get a win and a bonus point.”

Coventry Rugby’s line-up vs Leicester Tigers

Coventry: Ryan Hutler; David Opoku, Daf-Rhys Tiueti, Tom Hitchcock, Jimmy Martin; Tommy Mathews, Sam Maunder; Toby Trinder, Jordon Poole, Vilikesa Nairau; James Tyas, Rhys Anstey; Tom Ball, Aaron Hinkley, Senitiki Nayalo.

Replacements: Will Biggs, Jevaughn Warren, Eliot Salt, Chester Owen, Dan Okeke, Josh Barton, Charlie Robson, Oli Morris

Coventry host Leicester Tigers on Saturday, February 15 with kick-off at 3pm at Butts Park Arena.



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