By Paul Smith 
Coventry supporters are in line for a long-awaited first look at the talented Jake Henry when their club begins a five-week block of Championship action with the visit of Cambridge on Saturday.
The pacy back joined the Blue-and-Whites in July on a season-long loan from Scottish region Edinburgh but following an injury sustained during pre-season is yet to make his competitive debut.
After being selected to start Cov’s mid-August friendly against Moseley at outside centre, Henry seemed likely to play a prominent role in their campaign. However, disaster in the form of a hamstring tear serious enough to require surgery plus a six-month rehabilitation period then struck.
Coventry head coach Alex Rae paid tribute to the resilience shown by his summer signing who is said is a hugely positive influence on those around him.
“Jake has worked incredibly hard to get back,” Rae said. “It’s never nice when someone gets injured having come to a new club but he’s stayed so upbeat.
“He’s been training fully now for the last three or four weeks and as some of the fans will have noticed was warming up with us ahead of the last game we played against Leicester.
“At a push he probably could have played that day but we felt he just needed a bit more training volume. He’s been training really well and is really keen to get that game of rugby under his belt so hopefully with us now having a block of games he can get that.
“Jake can play anywhere in the back three and at no.13 as well – whatever the team needs he can do. At this stage of the season it’s like having a new signing; he’s a really good personality to have around as he brings good energy that’s infectious as well.”
Henry spent two years in Edinburgh’s academy prior to last season being part of their senior squad and getting experience in both the URC and Europe.
The 24-year-old has represented Scotland at both under-20 level and in sevens where he played in four tournaments around the world before scoring a hat-trick during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games played at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
After beginning his club career with Highland RFC, in more recent times Henry has featured for Melrose Storm, Southern Knights and Heriot’s in Scotland’s Super Six competition.
With Oli Morris also returning to action against Leicester following a lengthy absence with a hand injury, Henry’s return to fitness means Cov begin their Championship Spring campaign missing only full back Steff Davies and fly half Liam Richman from their backline options.
Tickets for Cov’s home game against Cambridge on Saturday can be purchased at https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/tickets/matchday-tickets/
