CHARLIE Robson will make his first Championship start for Coventry Rugby as Alex Rae’s men make the trip to Cambridge this weekend.
Robson appeared as a second-half replacement in Cov’s 45-7 win against Bedford Blues at Butts Park Arena last weekend.
And the 22-year-old full-back is now part of Cov’s starting line-up for the first time as Rae’s side look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Rae has also made two further changes the Cov’s backline from the win against Bedford.
Tom Hitchcock comes in at centre alongside Oli Morris with the former to make his first appearance of the season.
And Cov have also shuffled the pack at scrum-half as Will Lane takes a starting berth.
Cov also make changes in all three rows of the scrum.
At hooker, club captain Jordon Poole recovers the armband from Toby Trinder and switches starting and bench roles with Suva Ma’asi while Matt Johnson makes the first start of his second Coventry spell at tighthead prop with Billy Nairau among the replacements.
Experienced second-row James Tyas packs down at Cambridge alongside Obi Nkwocha in the engine room.
And Irish recruit Dan Okeke adds his name to Cov’s list of first-time starters at no.8 which means the in-form Matt Kvesic completes the full back-row set in as many weeks through his selection on the blindside flank.
Tom Ball and Chester Owen are both among the six forwards named on the bench where the pacy David Opoku and scrum-half Josh Barton provide cover for the backs.
Rae said: “We’re really excited to get back on the road this week and are anticipating a tough fixture against Cambridge after their really good away win at Caldy.
“Our last two wins have been built by the whole squad during the week – training is very competitive and everyone is pushing to play. “We’ve therefore decided we want to reward some of those lads and are looking forward to seeing the team get out there again.”
Coventry Rugby’s line-up vs Cambridge
Coventry: Robson; Martin, Morris, Hitchcock, Hutler; Richman, Lane; Trinder, Poole, Johnson; Nkwocha, Tyas; Kvesic, Hinkley, Okeke.
Replacements: Ma’asi, Warren, Nairau, Anstey, Ball, Barton, Okoku, Owen
Coventry make the trip to Cambridge on Saturday, October 5 with kick-off at 3pm at Ellgia Fields.
