ALEX Rae cannot wait for the start of the new Championship Rugby season after Coventry Rugby beat Chinnor in their final warm-up game.
Coventry eased to a 45-17 victory against the newly-promoted side at Butts Park Arena after running in seven tries.
And ahead of his side’s trip to London Scottish on Friday night (Friday, September 20) Rae expects his players to ramp up their preparations in training.
Rae said: “I can’t wait [for the season opener]. We will see a change in training, as attitudes and mindsets always change when the league season arrives.
“There will be some disappointment over selection and the emotions that go with that mean it’ll be different to a pre-season week when everything is happy and smiley.
“Pre-season has been about trying to give everyone some minutes on the pitch, and hoping they put their best foot forward.
“Perhaps the best thing to come out of the Chinnor game is that we had no injuries.
“Liam Richman will be back available for the London Scottish game as well – he’s back fully training now so the timing is perfect, and if you ask me now I know my team for next Friday.”
Rhys Anstey, Tom Ball, Billy Nairau, Matt Kvesic, Suva Ma’asi, David Opoku and Will Lane all dotted down as Cov ended their pre-season campaign with a stylish win.
However, despite the victory Rae admits his side are nowhere near the finished article.
Rae added: “I thought Sentiki Nayalo, Obi Nkwocha and Matt Kvesic in particular looked really powerful.
“We carried very well at times and we were very physical – Billy (Nairau) was a wrecking ball today which is exactly what we expect of those big boys.
“There’s loads to work on, though. We’re nowhere near the finished article, but with our power game we looked a real handful at times.”
Rae also paid tribute to experienced second-row James Tyas who played the second half of the victory against Chinnor after recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in the final game of last season.
Rae said: “James has worked incredibly hard to get back for this game and to give himself a chance for selection.
“It’s a huge credit to him since he’s been so diligent – I haven’t ever seen a harder worker trying to get back from injury – and it shows his commitment to the club.”
Coventry begin the Championship season away at London Scottish on Friday, September 20 with kick-off at 7.45pm at Richmond Athletic Ground.
