TIGHTHEAD prop Matt Johnson will make his first start since December when Coventry Rugby host Nottingham this weekend.
The former Exeter powerhouse dislocated his shoulder against Cornish Pirates earlier this campaign.
He eased back into action with 20 minutes from the bench during Cov’s defeat at Doncaster last weekend.
Coventry head coach Alex Rae makes a second front-row change through the rotation of skipper Jordon Poole and Suva Ma’asi as starting and replacement hookers.
Toby Trinder captains Coventry from loosehead while Jevaughn Warren and on-loan Sale prop Ralph McEachan provide the bench back-up.
Bath’s Mackenzie Graham plays a fifth Coventry game in the second row where he packs down alongside Rhys Anstey which means Dan Green reverts to a role among the replacements.
And Tiki Nayalo’s involvement in the Army’s Inter-Services Cup match against the RAF means Rae also makes a change in the back-row where Chester Owen returns at number eight.
By contrast, Coventry name an unchanged line-up behind the scrum where Jimmy Martin, on-loan Glasgow full-back Logan Trotter and David Opoku make up the back three with Will Lane providing bench cover.
Cov persist with Oli Morris and Jake Henry in the centres while Tommy Mathews partners Sam Maunder at half-back.
The Blue-and-Whites lead Nottingham 2-1 in the head-to-head this season with both of Cov’s successes coming in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Rae said: “We looked very dangerous while building a good first-half lead and barring an individual error would have gone in 24-3 ahead.
“When we play with the power, pace and accuracy we are capable of we are a match for anyone in this league.
“Our challenge over the last three games of the season is to deliver that sort of performance across the full 80 minutes.”
Coventry Rugby’s line-up vs Nottingham
Coventry: Logan Trotter; David Opoku, Jake Henry, Oli Morris, Jimmy Martin; Tommy Mathews, Sam Maunder; Toby Trinder ©, Suva Ma’asi, Matt Johnson; Rhys Anstey, Mackenzie Graham; Tom Ball, Matt Kvesic, Chester Owen
Replacements: Jordon Poole, Ralph McEachan, Jevaughn Warren, Dan Green, Aaron Hinkley, Josh Barton, Tom Hitchcock, Will Lane
