Nottingham Rugby v Coventry Rugby: Championship Cup team news

Andy Bulumakau returns for Cov at Nottingham tomorrow

Phil Boulton captains Coventry Rugby at Nottingham tomorrow evening when the clubs meet for a second time in seven days in the Greene King IPA Championship Cup.

The experienced tight head is partnered in the front row by Charlie Beech and Darren Dawidiuk, while fit-again James Gibbons, last weekend’s try-scorer Phil Nilsen and Bi Alo provide support from the bench.

The blue-and-whites field an unchanged second row pairing but an entirely new combination in the back row, where injury has hit hard. Jack Ram and Ben Nutley step up from the bench to join Latu Makaafi, while hooker Scott Tolmie provides bench cover.

Cov’s coaching group rotate scrum halves Pete White and Tom Kessell, while Will Flinn gets a chance to build on last week’s impressive debut from among the replacements.

Outside centre Andy Bulumakau is welcomed back from a shoulder problem to partner Tony Fenner and Nottingham old boy Will Maisey in midfield. The former Doncaster Knight replaces Rob Knox, who is working through return-to-play protocols after leaving the pitch with concussion last week.

There is also one change in the back three where Junior Bulumakau rests a wrist niggle which allows James Stokes to start against his former club on the right wing.

Centre Sam Tuitupou and forward Dan Faleafa, who has this week returned from Tonga’s autumn series, complete the bench.

Director of rugby Rowland Winter said:

“Having seen the weather forecast, we are expecting to play on a heavy pitch which means we will have to scrap hard.

“I’m also sure Nottingham saw things last Saturday they will seek to take advantage of this week, as did we, so it will be a good tactical battle.

“We need to make sure we front up and apply our skills across the whole 80 minutes.”

Coventry Rugby:

1. Beech
2. Dawidiuk
3. Boulton ©
4. Jubb
5. Oram
6. Makaafi
7. Ram
8. Nutley
9. Kessell
10. Maisey
11. Trimble
12. Fenner
13. Bulumakau
14. Stokes
15. Lewis

Replacements:

16. Nilsen
17. Gibbons
18. Alo
19. Faleafa
20. Tolmie
21. Flinn
22. Tuitupou

Watch Rowland speak to Geoff Foster from BBC C&W about tomorrow’s match below:

Advance match tickets are now available to purchase from the club office for our last home game in 2019 against Doncaster Knights on Saturday December 8.

The Rooters will be the  post-match entertainment in the Jon Sharp bar while the club shop will also be open for Christmas shoppers.