By Paul Smith 
Coventry Rugby return to league action after a short break on Saturday when Doncaster’s visit to the Butts Park Arena brings down the curtain on the first half of the Championship season.
And Cov’s hopes of continuing their recent good run against the Knights have been given a boost with the news that Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Sam Maunder has joined them on loan.
The 24-year-old no.9 who won England caps at Under-20 level has already played 59 competitive games for the Chiefs since making his debut as a teenager in 2018, with his four most recent appearances coming earlier this season.
Maunder followed father Andrew and brother Jack in representing his local professional club after initially making his mark on the sport while at Blundell’s School in North Devon then at Exeter University.
Coventry head coach Alex Rae said he is very pleased to add Maunder to his squad ahead of a five-week block featuring league games against Doncaster and Bedford plus Premiership Rugby Cup encounters with Nottingham, Northampton and Leicester.
“The arrival at the Butts of a quality operator like Sam with loads of Premiership experience is a real positive for us,” he said.
“We’re very grateful to Rob Baxter and Exeter for giving him the opportunity to come and spend some time with us.
“We’ve already seen in training that Sam will bring plenty to our group as we seek to put some good performances together in the league and to qualify for the cup quarter-finals.”
Cov announce the side that will host the Knights on Friday.
To watch Sam Maunder’s home debut for Coventry against Doncaster on Saturday purchase tickets from: https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/tickets/matchday-tickets/
