By Paul Smith 
Leading try-scorer Ryan Hutler wears Coventry’s no.13 shirt for the first time in a competitive match when his unbeaten team face Cornish Pirates at Mennaye Field tomorrow (2.30pm kick off).
The 26-year-old who has claimed six scores this term moves inside from the right wing following the injury suffered by Tom Hitchcock in the closing stages of last week’s home win over Hartpury.
Hutler, who previously featured in the centre during the second half of Cov’s pre-season win over Birmingham Moseley, partners the powerful Daf Tiueti in midfield.
This allows November player-of-the-month David Opoku to make his third start of the season on the right wing with Jimmy Martin on the opposite flank and leading points scorer Liam Richman again selected at full back.
Scrum half Will Lane’s impactful contribution to Cov’s last-gasp round seven success over Hartpury earns him a start in Penzance with Tommy Mathews named as his half-back partner.
Head coach Alex Rae makes only one change to the starting pack which will go toe-to-toe with the Pirates at a venue where Coventry seek a first-ever win.
This sees the impressive Tom Ball reintroduced on the blindside flank where he features as part of a back row featuring last week’s try-scorer Tiki Nayalo and Aaron Hinkley.
Second-row partners Obinna Nkwocha and James Tyas retain their status as ever-present members of Cov’s 2024/25 matchday 23 while tight head prop Matt Johnson faces his former club for the first time since moving north in the summer.
Cov include young lock Dan Green among six forwards on a replacements’ bench where scrum half Josh Barton and the pacy Charlie Robson provide backs cover against opponents who Rae believes are not accurately represented by a league table which shows last season’s runners-up currently sitting in sixth place.
“Pirates are in a bit of a false position in the table at the moment as we know from recent meetings with them what a good, well-organised team they are,” he said.
“They have some really dangerous players – going down there is particularly tough as our record shows and that’s something we’re looking to rectify.”
Coventry: Liam Richman; David Opoku, Ryan Hutler, Daf-Rhys Tiueti, Jimmy Martin; Tommy Mathews, Will Lane; Toby Trinder, Jordon Poole, Matt Johnson; James Tyas, Obinna Nkwocha; Tom Ball, Aaron Hinkley, Senitiki Nayalo
Replacements: Will Biggs, Jevaughn Warren, Eliot Salt, Dan Green, Chester Owen, Josh Barton, Charlie Robson, Dan Okeke
Tickets for Cov’s home game against Ealing on Saturday December 21st can be purchased at https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/tickets/matchday-tickets/
