COVENTRY Rugby have lost the services of front-rower Elliot Chilvers after Ealing Trailfinders recalled the prop six weeks ahead of schedule.
The popular loosehead prop arrived at the Butts Park Arena last summer on a season-long loan deal and has since made 18 appearances for Alex Rae’s team including 10 as a starter.
However, the Championship leaders have now invoked a clause in the loan contract which entitles them to recall Chilvers at any point.
Cov beat Ealing last month and trail the league leaders by just four points in the table although Ealing have a game in-hand.
Ealing have opted to recall a number of loan players from around the country as the Valis Way club look to secure the 12 points required to win the title.
Lock forward Rhys Anstey and centre Tom Hitchcock, who has made an eye-catching contribution since arriving at the BPA from Ealing on a similar loan deal in March, are not at the moment in any danger of following Chilvers back down the M40.
Chilvers becomes the fifth player to depart the Butts Park Arena since the start of the current campaign.