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COVENTRY’S pre-season programme cranks up another notch on Saturday when they take on Championship side Jersey Reds at St Peter’s.

After eight-try wins over Leicester Lions and Nuneaton, the trip to the Channel Islands offers a different level of opposition for Cov to assess where they are in their preparations for the start of the National League One season in three weeks’ time and what areas they need to work on.

“The two games we have had so far have shown that we have improved quality and depth in our squad with lots of players beginning to put their hands up for selection against Hull Ionians in a few weeks’ time,” said director of rugby, Rowland Winter..

“We’ve got three more games to go, and I expect to see improvements in our performance both individually and collectively as we build.

“We are excited about the challenge of playing Jersey. They had a great season last year and have an impressive squad so it will be a tough test for us, but one that we are really looking forward to.

“It’s also a great opportunity to get away as a group and continue to build as a team on and off the pitch.”

Tight head pro Phil Boulton (pictured) captains a side containing five new signings from last season.

Max Trimble (toe), Tom Jubb (hamstring) and George Oram (calf) remain unavailable due to slight

injury knocks and are expected to play a part in the pre-season friendlies over the next few weeks.

Jersey, who went down 38-14 away to French side RC Vannes last week, won last year’s corresponding pre-season game 47-5.

 

COVENTRY: 15 James Stokes, 14 Kwaku Asiedu, 13 Heath Stevens, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Rob Knox, 10 Will Maisey, 9 Pete White, 1 Jimmy Litchfield, 2 Scott Tolmie, 3 Phil Boulton (captain), 4 Nile Dacres, 5 Tom Poole, 6 Brett Daynes, 7 Jack Preece, 8 Luke Narraway.

Replacements: 16 Phil Nilsen, 17 Andy Brown, 18 Cameron Gray, 19 Dave Brazier, 20 Tony Fenner, 21 Harry Morley, 22 Latu Makaafi, 23 Olly Povoas, 23 Anthony Matoto, 24 Alex Grove