PLAYMAKING duo Liam Richman and Charlie Mathews combine in Coventry Rugby starting line-up for just the third time this season against Doncaster Knights this weekend.
Cov’s leading points scorer Richman switches to full-back with Mathews starting in his preferred fly-half role.
Head coach Alex Rae also names David Opoku on the right wing with ever-present Ryan Hutler moving to outside centre.
Cov’s December player of the month Daf Tiueti partners leading try-scorer Hutler in midfield with Jimmy Martin and Josh Barton also retained on the left wing and at scrum-half respectively.
In the pack, Eliot Salt is handed a first start of the season at tighthead prop with 24-year-old Dutch prop Mink Scharink, who arrived at the club on loan from Loughborough Students, providing cover on the bench.
Cov also opt for the same front five which started their defeat at Nottingham with Jordon Poole skippering the side from hooker.
Aaron Hinkley has recovered from a knock to feature at openside flanker as part of a back-row completed by Tom Ball and Senitiki Nayalo.
Newly-arrived Exeter scrum-half Sam Maunder is in line to make his Coventry debut from the bench, joined by Charlie Robson and Tom Hitchcock.
Youthful forwards Jevaughn Warren, Dan Green and Chester Owen join Scharink and also hooker Will Biggs as the five forward replacements.
Rae said: “Doncaster have some really talented players and some dangerous match-winners so if we’re not where we need to be we’ll get hurt by them.
“We’re full expecting a really tough game and we’re going to have to be at our best to get a win.”
Coventry Rugby’s line-up vs Doncaster Knights
Coventry: Liam Richman; David Opoku, Ryan Hutler, Daf-Rhys Tiueti, Jimmy Martin; Tommy Mathews, Josh Barton; Toby Trinder, Jordon Poole, Eliot Salt; Obinna Nkwocha, James Tyas; Tom Ball, Aaron Hinkley, Senitiki Nayalo
Replacements: Will Biggs, Jevaughn Warren, Mink Scharink, Dan Green, Chester Owen, Sam Maunder, Tom Hitchcock, Charlie Robson
Coventry host Doncaster on Saturday, January 18 with kick-off at 3pm at Butts Park Arena.
