By Dan Lewis 
James Stokes makes his return from injury against Canada (pic – John Coles)
The Coventry Rugby coaching group have named a 28-man squad to face Canada on Monday night at the Butts Park Arena (7.30pm kick off).
New signing Biyi Alo and Nathanael Titchard-Jones are given the opportunity to get game time under their belt in the front row, while Northampton hooker Samson Ma’asi appears as a guest.
In the back row, Latu Makaafi, Jack Preece and Ben Adams have all featured in the Greene King IPA Championship in recent weeks, while three young locks, including Cameron Gray who emerged from the bench against Yorkshire Carnegie last Saturday, are given the opportunity to impress.
Experience is added to a youthful backline in the form of fly half Jake Sharp, back-three specialists Rob Knox and Junior Bulumakau plus the fit-again James Stokes.
Cov’s recently recruited fly half Robbie Povey is in line to appear against the national team for whom he won caps earlier this year.
Director of rugby Rowland Winter said:
“Monday’s fixture was organised when we spoke with Kingsley Jones a few months ago to get more background information on Robbie and a few other Canadian players.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to give high-level game time to those on their way back from injury plus a few players who haven’t had many minutes so far in the league campaign.
“It’s a great honour to host an international team at Butts Park Arena and a proud moment which shows how far we have progressed in our recent development as a club.”
Coventry Rugby squad:
Forwards: Nathanael Titchard-Jones, Luke Jeannot, Biyi Alo, Jack Higgins, Samson Ma’asi (Guest), Phil Nilsen, Willie Priestley, Cameron Gray, Kailus Hutchinson, Scott Russell, Ollie Povoas, Latu Makaafi, Jack Preece, Ben Adams, Sam McNulty.
Backs: Will Flinn, David Brazier, Jake Sharp, Dan Lewis, Rob Knox, James Stokes, Junior Bulumakau, Kwaku Asiedu, Robbie Povey, Louis Roach, Ben Palmer, Joe Lane, Max Titchener.
Advanced tickets for Monday night’s Coventry v Canada, preferentially priced at £8 (free for those aged 16 and under) are available before 4pm today from the Butts Park Arena ticket office on 02476 231001.Entry without an advanced ticket is also available on the gate.
