By Paul Smith 
by Paul Smith
Top-scorer Tommy Mathews (pictured) and on-loan Exeter scrum-half Sam Maunder reunite at half-back when Cov seek to end a three-match losing sequence against the Cornish Pirates tomorrow (Butts Park Arena, 3pm kick off).
Mathews reverts to his preferred fly-half role after beginning Cov’s narrow defeat at Hartpury in the centre while Maunder’s outstanding display from the bench in Gloucestershire earns him his sixth start since arriving from Sandy Park in January.
Fit-again Tom Hitchcock partners former Worcester Warrior Oli Morris in midfield while top try-scorers Ryan Hutler and Jimmy Martin – who have shared 19 touchdowns this term to date – combine with Glasgow loanee Logan Trotter in the back three.
Among the forwards teenage lock Dan Green makes his second start in Blue-and-White while the versatile Suva Ma’asi starts at openside flanker in a back-row combination that also features Tom Ball and Chester Owen.
With Senitiki Nayalo absent on British Army duty Irish no.8 Daniel Okeke is one of five forward replacements as are on-loan Sale prop Tye Raymont and Bath lock Jack Bennett.
Australian fly half Liam Richman and ever-present scrum-half Josh Barton provide back-up for the three-quarter line from the bench where they are joined by Will Lane.
Cov are seeking a first win over the Pirates since the 2023/24 season and with tough away games at fully-professional Ealing and Doncaster among their closing four fixtures know they must make home advantage count if they are to repeat the top-three finish secured in the last two seasons.
Head coach and Coventry native Alex Rae is looking forward to what he hopes will be a day of double sporting success for his hometown.
“Pirates is another massive game – I have masses of respect for them as they’ve beaten us the last three times we’ve played and we always have a really good tussle,” he says.
“Every time we play someone at the moment we have a target on our backs as they are able to catch us in the table if they beat us.
“It’s a big sporting day all-round in the city and in front of a big crowd hopefully boosted by some celebrating stragglers from the football we’re looking to put in a big display.”
Coventry: Logan Trotter; Ryan Hutler, Oli Morris, Tom Hitchcock, Jimmy Martin; Tommy Mathews, Sam Maunder; Toby Trinder, Jordon Poole ©, Eliot Salt; Dan Green, Rhys Anstey; Tom Ball, Suva Ma’asi, Chester Owen
Replacements: Will Biggs, Jevaughn Warren, Tye Raymont, Jack Bennett, Daniel Okeke, Josh Barton, Liam Richman, Will Lane
Tickets for Cov’s home game against Cornish Pirates on Saturday can be purchased at https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/tickets/matchday-tickets/
