By Paul Smith 
Cov host Premiership giants Leicester tomorrow (Butts Park Arena, 3pm) knowing that only a win will keep their hopes of reaching the last eight alive.
The two clubs are locked together behind pool B leaders Northampton on 15 points and with only three of the five pool stage runners-up able to qualify, a bonus point win seems essential for both clubs.
The presence of skipper Jordon Poole in the middle of their front row is therefore a piece of extremely good news for the Blue-and-Whites and what is set to be a partisan home crowd at an almost-sold-out BPA.
The 27-year-old hooker was forced from the field at Northampton last Saturday by a heavy blow to the ribs but has since recovered to take his place between Toby Trinder and Vilikesa Nairau.
The Fijian prop, who makes his first start since leaving the pitch during Cov’s November cup defeat in the home game against Saints with a knee injury, has appeared from the bench in his club’s last three outings.
Second-row Rhys Anstey’s last start also came in the Autumn but after impressing as a replacement during Cov’s two most recent cup clashes he gets the nod to stand in for Obi Nkwocha who was injured during the second half at Franklin’s Gardens.
Behind the scrum Cov give a vote of confidence to the line-up that has claimed ten of the 12 tries recorded over the last fortnight in their win over Nottingham and defeat at Northampton.
This means Ryan Hutler retains the full back shirt with leading try-scorer Jimmy Martin on the left wing and local product David Opoku-Fordjour on the right.
On-loan scrum-half Sam Maunder and in-form Tommy Mathews form the half-backs with Daf Tiueti named outside Tom Hitchcock in midfield.
Former Worcester centre Oli Morris is in line to make his long-awaited return from a hand injury sustained in early October from the bench where he is joined by scrum-half Josh Barton and full back Charlie Robson plus five forwards.
Looking ahead to the game, head coach Alex Rae said he is expecting his team to revel in a huge occasion.
“Leicester are one of the biggest clubs in Europe and they haven’t played a competitive game in Coventry for many years so it’s a really exciting prospect for everyone involved,” he said.
“We’re hoping it’s a sell-out and I know the lads are really looking forward to putting on a good performance in front of our own fans.
“We can’t control what happens in the other games around the country or who Leicester select to play against us so we’ll be focusing on ourselves and doing our best to get a win and a bonus point.”
Coventry: Ryan Hutler; David Opoku-Fordjour, Tom Hitchcock, Daf-Rhys Tiueti, Jimmy Martin; Tommy Mathews, Sam Maunder; Toby Trinder, Jordon Poole, Vilikesa Nairau; Senitiki Nayalo, Rhys Anstey; Tom Ball, Aaron Hinkley, Chester Owen.
Replacements: Will Biggs, Jevaughn Warren, Eliot Salt, James Tyas, Dan Okeke, Josh Barton, Charlie Robson, Oli Morris
Tickets for Cov’s home game against Leicester in the Premiership Rugby Cup on Saturday are available via this link: https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/tickets/
