SUVA Ma’asi will start from the off in the back row when Coventry Rugby make the trip to Ampthill on their return to Championship action.
The 27-year-old, who has played over 60 games for Cov as a hooker, is rewarded for a string of impressive performances in recent weeks.
Coventry head coach Alex Rae makes two other changes to the pack which started in defeat against Northampton Saints in the Premiership Rugby Cup last weekend.
Prop Toby Trinder returns to the front row after fellow looseheads Billy Nairau and Jevaughn Warren suffered injuries during the cup tie against Saints.
Behind him, the experienced James Tyas steps in for second row Obi Nkwocha who rotates to the replacements after starting all eight of Cov’s games this term.
Rae also switches bench and starting roles for scrum-halves Will Lane and Josh Barton while Jimmy Martin retains the full back shirt in which he played the closing 30 minutes against Northampton.
Sale prop Ralph McEachran provides loan support from a bench which contains six forwards among which hooker Will Biggs is in line to make a first appearance of the season.
Rae said: “We’ve got a couple of players back fit this week but have lost one or two others which is how things go sometimes.
“We’ve also made one or two small changes to freshen things up and bring some energy as one or two of the boys who have done well in training deserve a start.
“In many ways going to Ampthill this week will be harder for us than playing Leicester or Northampton in the Premiership Cup.
“They’re not flashy or the fanciest team in the world but they’re a good, solid side who always play well at home and they beat us there last season.”
Coventry Rugby’s line-up vs Ampthill
Coventry: Jimmy Martin; Ryan Hutler, Daf-Rhys Tiueti, Tom Hitchcock, David Opoku; Tommy Mathews, Will Lane; Toby Trinder, Jordon Poole, Matt Johnson; James Tyas, Senitiki Nayalo; Tom Ball, Suva Ma’asi, Matt Kvesic.
Replacements: Will Biggs, Ralph McEachran, Eliot Salt, Rhys Anstey, Obinna Nkwocha, Josh Barton, Charlie Robson, Chester Owen
Coventry travel to Ampthill on Saturday, November 30 with kick-off at 1.30pm at Dillingham Park.
