Doncaster Knights v Coventry Rugby: Five return for Championship Cup

James Voss makes his return from injury at Castle Park tomorrow. (Pic – John Coles)

Coventry Rugby team to face Doncaster Knights

Coventry Rugby’s coaching group recalls five players to the match day squad that faces Doncaster Knights in the Championship Cup at Castle Park tomorrow (2.30pm kick off).

In the pack, James Voss and Alex Woolford return from concussion to start on the blindside flank and in the second row respectively.

With his suspension complete, Phil Boulton is named as back-up tight head for the first time since mid-September.

The club captain is joined in an impactful replacements bench by former Gloucester hooker Darren Dawidiuk, who is set to make his Cov debut after recovering from a bicep injury sustained in pre-season.

And following a lively display against Canada on Monday night, full back James Stokes has overcome the hamstring strain suffered during October to wear the No.22 shirt.

Behind the scrum, Coventry’s coaching group names the same starting line-up which was part of the 20-15 league win over Yorkshire Carnegie two weekends ago.

This means Junior and Andy Bulumakau – both of whom are former Doncaster players – again feature, while Will Maisey and Tom Kessell combine at half-back.

A third former Knight, Jack Ram, joins Voss and Adam Peters in the starting back row, where Ben Nutley and Ben Adams provide cover from the bench.

Director of rugby Rowland Winter said:

“Doncaster have had a difficult start to the season with Clive Griffiths’ health issues, and it’s good to see he’s back involved this weekend.

“They are a good squad with lots of experience, so whatever side they put out we’re expecting a tough away game at a club who we expect to do well in this pool.

“But we need to concentrate on ourselves, and use this game as a chance to kick on. The cup is a great opportunity for us and our starting point is that we are trying to win it.

“The club hasn’t been part of a cup competition for a long time, and the knock-out stages and all the romance that brings are just around the corner if we can get out of the pool stages.”

Coventry Rugby:

1. James Gibbons
2. Scott Tolmie
3. Biyi Alo
4. Alex Woolford
5. George Oram
6. James Voss
7. Jack Ram
8. Adam Peters
9. Tom Kessell
10. Will Maisey
11. Max Trimble
12. Heath Stevens
13. Andy Bulumakau
14. Junior Bulumakau
15. Tony Fenner

Replacements:

16. Darren Dawidiuk
17. Nathanael Titchard-Jones
18. Phil Boulton
19. Ben Adams
20. Ben Nutley
21. Pete White
22. James Stokes

Watch Rowland Winter talk to BBC C&W’s Alec Blackman about the trip to Doncaster below.

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