By Paul Smith 
Two more extremely popular figures at the Butts Park Arena have signed new deals that will keep them at Coventry Rugby for the coming season and beyond.
Prop forward Toby Trinder who is the longest servant among the current playing group and leading try-scorer Jimmy Martin have both agreed to be part of Cov’s mission to improve upon the consecutive top-three Championship finishes already achieved under head coach Alex Rae.
Trinder who becomes the latest in a sequence of experienced forwards to commit their immediate futures to Cov said the decision was for him a simple one.
“I’m delighted to be extending my stay at this amazing club which I’m proud to call home,” he said.
“Some of the connections I’ve built in the rugby department, alongside our unrivalled supporter base have made me feel very aligned with the ambition and direction of the club.
“Extending my stay here did not need much thought; I’m excited to contribute as best I can as we aim to go one (or two) places better next season.”
The 25-year-old former Northampton Academy front-rower moved up the M45 in 2019 and since then has pulled on the famous blue-and-white jersey 90 times.
Trinder has stood in as captain on a number of occasions, and his importance to his club’s set-piece became quickly apparent when he returned from a lengthy injury absence midway through the current season.
Flying winger Martin also joined Cov five years ago from Cambridge and after appearing in 23 games this season is now well beyond the 50-match landmark.
With the Championship’s other ten clubs having one match to play this weekend, Cov fans will be watching the try-scoring charts with interest to see if the 24-year-old retains his current position at the top of the 2023/24 scoring tree.
In league and cup Martin has this term scored 16 tries as part of a prolific back-line in which fellow winger Ryan Hutler (who also signed a new deal last week) and centre Will Wand both also got into double figures.
Rae said he is extremely happy to be able to include two popular and influential players in his squad for next season.
“It’s great to have Toby on board again for next season,” he said. He’s really maturing into a quality scrummaging prop and I know he aims to become the stand out loose-head in the league.
“He loves the cub and has made the city his home – I’m sure there’s lots more to come from Toby.
“Jimmy is another with deep connections to the club and is Cov through and through.
“You see that in his performances and his reward has been the amount of tries he’s scored.
“His challenge now is to kick on again and become even better and we have no doubt he’ll do that.”
More announcements will follow regarding the make-up of the 2024/25 squad.
Season memberships for 2024/25 are available via this link: https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/membership/
