Nighthawks have lift off

COVENTRY’S midweek Nighthawks take to the field for the first time this season tomorrow night with an away game against Cambridge University at Grange Road.

A strong squad has been named, including the second row pairing of Rob Conquest and Tom Poole from Saturday’s National League One game against Blaydon along with winger Dan Rundle, whose added time try secured a 19-17 victory.

Also named from the Blaydon game squad are Rhodri Adamson and Tom Jubb, while centre Callum MacBurnie and flanker Olly Povoas have their first game back from injury.

The squad contains a number of Cov’s development squad, including centre Sam Smith, and guest players.

“It’s great to have the Nighthawks up and running, and this will be a stern test for them against the University’s first team,” said director of rugby, Rowland Winter.

“It’s an ideal opportunity for the people coming back to get game time under their belts and start to press for first-team selection, and also for the coaches to have a look at our development players and see how much they have progressed.

“The aim is to have one midweek game a month.”

The game is the second for the Light Blues, who beat a Welsh Crawshay’s side 30-19 last week, as they build towards the Varsity Match against Oxford later in the month.

Kick-off is 7.45pm.

Forwards from: Rob Conquest, Tom Poole, Tom Jubb, Brett Daynes, Ali Bone, Olly Povoas, Freddie Tuilagi (tbc), Sam McNulty (development squad/Broadstreet), Jake Byrne (development squad/Broadstreet), Willie Priestley (development squad/Loughborough Students), Charley Robinson (guest, Bedford Blues), Des Brett (guest, Southwold), Ben Holmes (guest, Nuneaton), Sam Nicholls (guest, Nuneaton) , Callum Grant-Smith (guest, Coventry University), Euan Walker (guest, Olney).

Backs from: Rhodri Adamson, Alex Smit, Brendan Burke, Sam Smith, Callum MacBurnie, Jay Heath, Dan Rundle, Sam Hollingsworth (development squad/Broadstreet), Jacob Knight (development squad/Nuneaton), Josh Palmer (development squad/Nuneaton), Max Titchener (development squad/Newbold).