COVENTRY Rugby’s top scorer Tommy Matthews and on-loan scrum-half Sam Maunder reunite at half-back for the club’s clash with Cornish Pirates this weekend.
Mathews reverts to his preferred fly-half role after beginning Cov’s narrow defeat at Hartpury in the centre.
And Maunder’s fine display from the bench last time out earns him a sixth start since arriving from Exeter Cheifs in January.
Fit-again Tom Hitchcock partners Oli Morris in midfield while Ryan Hutler and Jimmy Martin combine with Glasgow loanee Logan Trotter in the back three.
Among the forwards, teenage lock Dan Green makes his second start while the versatile Suva Ma’asi starts at openside flanker in a back-row combination which also features Tom Ball and Chester Owen.
With Senitiki Nayalo absent on British Army duty, Irish number eight Daniel Okeke is one of five forward replacements along with on-loan Sale prop Tye Raymont and Bath lock Jack Bennett.
Australian fly half Liam Richman and ever-present scrum-half Josh Barton provide back-up for the three-quarter line from the bench where they are joined by Will Lane.
Cov are seeking a first win over the Pirates since the 2023/24 season.
And Cov head coach Alex Rae is looking forward to what he hopes will be a day of double sporting success for his hometown.
Rae said: “Pirates is another massive game – I have masses of respect for them as they’ve beaten us the last three times we’ve played and we always have a really good tussle.
“Every time we play someone at the moment we have a target on our backs as they are able to catch us in the table if they beat us.
“It’s a big sporting day all-round in the city and in front of a big crowd hopefully boosted by some celebrating stragglers from the football we’re looking to put in a big display.”
Coventry Rugby’s line-up vs Cornish Pirates
Coventry: Logan Trotter; Ryan Hutler, Oli Morris, Tom Hitchcock, Jimmy Martin; Tommy Mathews, Sam Maunder; Toby Trinder, Jordon Poole ©, Eliot Salt; Dan Green, Rhys Anstey; Tom Ball, Suva Ma’asi, Chester Owen
Replacements: Will Biggs, Jevaughn Warren, Tye Raymont, Jack Bennett, Daniel Okeke, Josh Barton, Liam Richman, Will Lane
Coventry host Cornish Pirates on Saturday, May 3 with kick-off at 3pm at Butts Park Arena.
