Coventry Rugby welcome Blackheath Rugby under the lights tomorrow evening as the Blue & Whites look to build on their strong start to the 2026/27 Elior Champ Rugby campaign.

It’s Round Four, and with plenty happening around the stadium before, during and after the rugby, here’s everything you need to know.

🏉 Match Details

Coventry Rugby v Blackheath Rugby
Elior Champ Rugby – Round Four
📅 Friday 9 October 2026
📍 Nick Newbold Stadium
🚪 Gates open: 5:00pm
🏉 Kick-off: 7:45pm

Coventry currently sit near the top end of the early Championship table after two wins from their opening three fixtures, including an impressive 73-40 victory over Cornish Pirates at home. Blackheath head to Coventry looking for their second league win of the campaign, having most recently beaten Doncaster Knights 33-26.

Get Here Early

With gates opening at 5:00pm, make an evening of it and get to the stadium early.

There’s plenty to enjoy before kick-off, including the Fan Zone, food and drink, the club shop and indoor and outdoor bars.

Fan Zone

The Fan Zone will be open throughout the evening, with:

• Shortland Co Coffee & Cake

• Wood-fired pizzas

• Lager, cider, ales & Guinness

So whether you're joining us straight from work or bringing the family along for a Friday night out, there’s plenty to keep you fuelled.

🍔 Indoor Food

Looking for something more substantial?

The indoor food offering includes:

• Homemade pies

• Homemade sausage rolls

• Burgers & hotdogs

• Pork & stuffing baps

Bars Open Throughout the Evening

The indoor and outdoor bars will be open throughout the evening, so you can enjoy a drink before the game, at half-time and after the final whistle.

🛍️ Club Shop

The club shop will also be open, with new items available. 🧢

Perfect opportunity to get yourself match-ready in Blue & White or pick up something for a fellow Coventry supporter.

The Rugby

Alex Rae's side will be looking to make home advantage count once again.

Coventry's attacking game has been one of the major talking points of the opening rounds, with the team leading the division for offloads and initial breaks. Morgan Strong has also been a standout performer, currently leading the league for carries and carry metres.

Blackheath will provide a different challenge. Archie Holland has been prominent defensively, while Kegan Christian-Goss offers a powerful carrying threat. The battle at the breakdown and Coventry's ability to contain Blackheath's ball carriers could be crucial.

Coventry Starting XV

1. Tumy Onasanya
2. Ethan Hunt
3. Jonny Benz-Salomon
4. Senitiki Nayalo
5. Mackenzie Graham
6. Marcus Rhodes
7. Tom Ball
8. Morgan Strong (C)
9. Josh Barton
10. Bruce Houston
11. Jack Reeves
12. Tommy Mathews
13. Dafydd-Rhys Tiueti
14. Peter Sullivan
15. Alex Garrett

Finishers: Murray Davidson, Keston Lines, Coby Stanton-Ford, Jack Shine, Onisivoro Sukani Nayagi, Sam Maunder, Api Bavadra and Matt McNab.

A Rivalry With History

Friday's fixture is another chapter in a long-running rivalry.

The clubs have met 29 times in recorded league history, with Coventry winning 19, Blackheath winning eight and two draws. At home, Coventry have won 13 of the 15 previous league meetings.

The most recent meetings produced a split: Coventry won 37-10 at home before Blackheath responded with a remarkable 61-29 victory at Well Hall.

So expect another competitive encounter under the lights.

Can't Make It?

The match will be streamed live on Clubber TV, giving supporters unable to attend the chance to follow the action from wherever they are.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Gates: 5:00pm
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Nick Newbold Stadium

Come early. Eat, drink, shop, soak up the atmosphere — and then get behind the Blue & Whites for Round Four.

Coventry Rugby v Blackheath. Under the lights. Let's make it a Friday night to remember.

Tickets – Coventry Rugby