The sides last met in 2010, with today's encounter renewing a fixture that has been contested 33 times previously.

Nine set for official Coventry debuts

There are nine players in the Coventry matchday squad who are in line to make their official Coventry Rugby debuts.

Jonny Benz-Salomon, Rhys Fulford, Rhys Tait, Bruce Houston and Alex Garrett are named in the starting XV, while Ethan Hunt, Tumy Onasanya, Coby Stanton-Ford and Marcus Rhodes are among the finishers.

For all nine, an appearance at Clifton Lane would mark their first competitive outing for Coventry.

Stanton-Ford included after Senior Academy contract

There is also a notable inclusion for Coby Stanton-Ford, who has been named among the Coventry finishers.

Stanton-Ford has enjoyed a significant week after signing his Senior Academy contract with Coventry Rugby, and he could now take another step in his development by making his senior debut at Clifton Lane.

His inclusion provides a further opportunity for one of Coventry's emerging young players to experience Elior Champ Rugby action, having made the move into the club's Senior Academy setup this week.

Mathews closing in on 50 appearances

There is also a significant milestone within the Coventry replacements.

Tommy Mathews is named among the finishers and will make his 50th appearance for Coventry Rugby if he comes off the bench against Rotherham.

The milestone would provide another notable moment on an opening afternoon that sees Coventry begin a new Elior Champ Rugby campaign while a number of players make their first competitive appearances for the club.

Coventry Rugby team

1. Aristot Benz-Salomon
2. Jordon Poole (C)
3. Jonny Benz-Salomon
4. Senitiki Nayalo
5. Rhys Fulford
6. Tom Ball
7. Morgan Strong
8. Rhys Tait
9. Sam Maunder
10. Bruce Houston
11. Jack Reeves
12. Api Bavadra
13. Dafydd-Rhys Tiueti
14. Alex Garrett
15. Tom Bacon

Finishers: Ethan Hunt, Tumy Onasanya, Coby Stanton-Ford, Dan Green, Marcus Rhodes, Josh Barton, Tommy Mathews, Peter Sullivan.