By Paul Smith 
Coventry supporters get a first look at a host of exciting summer signings when their club launches its 2024/25 campaign with the annual pipe-opener against Birmingham Moseley.
Head coach Alex Rae has named two separate line-ups for this Saturday’s Butts Park Arena clash (3pm kick off) in which he intends to give all fully-fit members of his squad a chance to impress.
Club captain Jordon Poole leads out a first-half team in which only wingers Ryan Hutler and David Opoku plus forwards Vili Nairau, Rhys Anstey and Chester Owen joined their skipper during Cov’s excellent 2023/24 Championship season.
This means seven new faces make their blue-and-white debuts, while scrum-half Josh Barton and flanker Aaron Hinckley resume Coventry careers that paused at the end of a 2021/22 season in which their club finished as Championship Cup runners-up.
The centre combination of the powerful Daf Tiueti and season-long Edinburgh loanee Jake Henry catches the eye while Barton’s half-back partner is former Hartpury no.10 Tommy Matthews.
Among the forwards the flexible Nairau appears at tight-head prop while the back-row combination of Hinckley, Munsterman Daniel Okeke and the fast-developing Owen promises pace and power aplenty.
Three of the first-half squad double up after the break in a line-up that, by contrast, features only one new face in former Rams full back Charlie Robson plus guesting Italy under-19 winger Charlie Whorrod and the returning Matt Johnson.
Last season’s top try-scorer Jimmy Martin makes his seasonal bow in his usual left wing role while the long-serving Toby Trinder, Suva Ma’asi and Tiki Nayalo are named in a pack where last year’s coaches’ player-of-the-year Tom Ball wears the captain’s armband on the openside flank.
Scrum-half Fin Ogden and another guest in the form of England under-19 loose-head Will Conduit sit on the bench.
This match plus Cov’s September 13th floodlit friendly against Championship new boys Chinnor are both included alongside all home league and cup games in a season membership package which is available on the club’s website.
Alternatively, match tickets may be purchased in advance at https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/tickets/matchday-tickets/ or on the gate.
Coventry First Half: Steff Davies; Ryan Hutler, Jake Henry, Daf-Rhys Tiueti, David Opoku; Tommy Mathews, Josh Barton; Jevaughn Warren, Jordon Poole ©, Vilikesa Nairau; Dan Green, Rhys Anstey; Daniel Okeke, Aaron Hinckley, Chester Owen.
Coventry Second Half: Charlie Robson; Charlie Whorrod, Tom Hitchcock, Daf-Rhys Tiueti, James Martin; Theo Mannion, Will Lane; Toby Trinder, Suva Ma’asi, Matt Johnson; Obinna Nkwocha, Rhys Anstey; Daniel Okeke, Tom Ball ©, Senitiki Nayalo
Replacements: Fin Ogden, Will Conduit
