Coventry Rugby v London Scottish – Alex Woolford makes Cov debut

Alex Woolford makes his Coventry Rugby debut tomorrow when Greene King IPA Championship rivals London Scottish visit the Butts Park Arena (3pm kick off).

The former Northampton lock packs down alongside Tongan international Dan Faleafa, who made his own first start in blue-and-white last weekend at Richmond.

Another former Saint, Ben Nutley, returns to fitness to join Adam Peters and Jack Ram in the back row.

Hooker Phil Nilsen, who captains the side, is joined in the front row by James Gibbons and tight head Luc Jeannot who swaps starting and bench roles with Charlie Beech.

Behind the scrum, half-backs Pete White and Jake Sharp rotate with Tom Kessell and Will Maisey, while in the absence of the injured Heath Stevens Tony Fenner partners Sam Tuitupou in midfield.

Fit-again James Stokes and Max Trimble are respectively restored to the full back and right wing shirts, where they partner Tongan international David Halaifonua in a pacy back three.

Back five forward George Oram has recovered from injury to claim a place on the bench.

Rowland Winter said:

“We’ve had two really good strong training sessions this week, and lots of people have put their hands up for selection.

“The handful of changes are partly down to performances at Richmond, but also because of what we’ve seen in training this week.

“The players don’t need me or the coaches to tell them – they are frustrated themselves with the lack of consistency in our game at the moment and they have worked incredibly hard this week to put that right.

“London Scottish are a good side, who like most teams in this league, have talent throughout. They’ve put together some really good performances recently including beating Bedford away from home.

“We’ve got to concentrate on putting our own house in order, as whoever we’re playing we’re good enough to win if we put in a performance.”

Coventry Rugby:

1. James Gibbons
2. Phil Nilsen
3. Luc Jeannot
4. Alex Woolford
5. Dan Faleafa
6. Adam Peters
7. Jack Ram
8. Ben Nutley
9. Pete White
10. Jake Sharp
11. David Halaifonua
12. Sam Tuitupou
13. Tony Fenner
14. Max Trimble
15. James Stokes

Replacements:

16. Scott Tolmie
17. Nathanael Titchard-jones
18. Charlie Beech
19. George Oram
20. Tom Jubb
21. Tom Kessell
22. Andy Bulumakau

Advanced tickets for the IPA Greene King Championship clash, preferentially priced at £18 (seated), £15 (standing) and £2 (ages three to 16) are available before 4pm on Friday from the Butts Park Arena ticket office on 02476 231001.

Entry without an advanced ticket is also available on the gate.

Coventry Nighthawks face London Irish A on Monday evening at Hazlewood (7pm kick off).

Winter has named a squad of 25.

Forwards:

Nathanael Titchard-jones

Willie Priestley

Jack Higgins

George Oram

Scott Russell

Kalius Hutchinson

Olly Povoas

Jack Preece

Ben Adams

Freddie Betteridge

Sam McNulty

Ben Gulliver

Tarik Tin

Backs:

Will Flinn

Dave Brazier

Dan Lewis

Will Maisey

Junior Bulumakau

Rob Knox

Louis Roach

Robbie Povey

Joe Lane

Isaac McNulty

Max Titchener