ALEX Rae makes two changes to the Coventry Rugby starting line-up that beat Ampthill for tomorrow’s trip to Doncaster Knights.
Experienced prop Toby Trinder starts at loosehead prop while Tom Ball and Paddy Ryan switch starting and bench roles in the back row.
Trinder is in the front row alongside Adam Nicol and skipper Jordon Poole who seeks to continue his outstanding run of recent form on the occasion of his 50th Cov appearance.
Rae paid tribute to his captain who, due to injuries to Will Biggs and Suva Ma’asi, has started 15 of his club’s 17 matches so far this season and appeared from the bench in the other two.
Rae said: “Jordon has lead from the front and really grown into his role as captain.
“He epitomises what we mean by the phrase ‘Cov dog,’ always puts the team first and shows 100 per cent commitment every time he pulls on the shirt.
“It’s fitting that he reaches the landmark in a really big game and I’m sure there’s many more appearances to come for him.”
Cov are unchanged behind the scrum which means their exciting back three – Tobi Wilson, Ryan Hutler and Jimmy Martin – have the chance to add to the 27 tries they have already claimed this season.
Recent acquisition Tom Hitchcock again combines with Will Wand in midfield while Pat Pellegrini and Will Chudley have a key game management role from half back.
Rae again opts for six forwards and two backs on the bench with young prospect Chester Owen afforded another opportunity to impress following last week’s league debut.
Cov also include newly-arrived scrum half Toby Venner for the first time while the versatile Evan Mitchell provides cover elsewhere in the back line.
Coventry’s line-up
Coventry: Wilson; Hutler, Wand, Hitchcock, Martin; Pellegrini, Chudley; Trinder, Poole, Nicol; Tyas, Nkwocha; Ball, Kvesic, Nayalo.
Replacements: Biggs, Chilvers, Nairau, Owen, Ryan, Venner, Mitchell, Bartlett.
