Blue-and-Whites Set for Goldington Road Playoff Test
Blue-and-Whites Set for Goldington Road Playoff Test
Coventry Rugby have named their side for Friday night’s Champ Rugby Semi-Final against Bedford Blues at Goldington Road (7:45pm kick-off).
Coventry Rugby have named their side for Friday night’s Champ Rugby Semi-Final against Bedford Blues at Goldington Road (7:45pm kick-off).
The Blue-and-Whites head into the final four after last weekend’s hard-fought quarter-final victory over Hartpury RFC, with Alex Rae’s men now facing a Bedford side that earned a bye week after finishing second in the regular season standings.
Alex Rae has made three changes to the starting XV that secured progression to the semi-finals at the Nick Newbold Stadium.
In the front row, Eliot Salt comes into the starting line-up at tighthead prop in place of Matt Johnson, who is named among the replacements and is set to make his 50th Coventry Rugby appearance if called upon from the bench.
The second change sees Senitiki Nayalo return to the engine room alongside Mackenzie Graham.
Jordon Poole captains the side from hooker, joining Aristot Benz-Salomon and Salt in the front row. Allan Ferrie, Tom Ball and Morgan Strong continue as the back-row combination after impressing all season.
Behind the pack, Sam Maunder retains the scrum-half jersey and partners Josh Thomas in the half-backs, with Tommy Mathews moving to the bench after starting at fly-half against Hartpury.
The rest of the backline remains unchanged from last weekend’s victory, with Jack Reeves and David Opoku-Fordjour on the wings, Api Bavadra and Oli Morris in midfield and Tom Bacon at full-back.
Dan Green and Onisivoro Sukani Nayagi provide forward impact from the bench, while Josh Barton and Dafydd-Rhys Tiueti are also included among the replacements.
Coventry will be looking to build on the momentum of last weekend’s playoff success as they bid to book their place in the inaugural Champ Rugby Final.
Coventry Rugby team to face Bedford Blues:
1. Aristot Benz-Salomon
2. Jordon Poole ©
3. Eliot Salt
4. Senitiki Nayalo
5. Mackenzie Graham
6. Allan Ferrie
7. Tom Ball
8. Morgan Strong
9. Sam Maunder
10. Josh Thomas
11. Jack Reeves
12. Api Bavadra
13. Oli Morris
14. David Opoku-Fordjour
15. Tom Bacon
16. Murray Davidson
17. Keston Lines
18. Matt Johnson* 50th Appearance
19. Dan Green
20. Onisivoro Sukani Nayagi
21. Josh Barton
22. Tommy Mathews
23. Dafydd-Rhys Tiueti
