Coventry Rugby Name Side for New Year’s Day Clash with Cornish Pirates

Coventry Rugby have confirmed their matchday 23 for Thursday’s Champ Rugby Round 13 fixture against Cornish Pirates at Butts Park Arena (15:00 kick-off), as the Blue-and-White look to start 2026 with a strong home performance.

Jordon Poole captains the side from hooker, leading an experienced front row alongside Aristot Benz-Salomon and Matt Johnson. In the engine room, Dan Green partners Senitiki Nayalo, while the back row sees Allan Ferrie and Tom Ball flank Morgan Strong at number eight, with Strong continuing his influential role after an outstanding first half of the season.

Sam Maunder starts at scrum-half and links up with Josh Thomas at fly-half, forming a familiar half-back partnership. Out wide, league-leading try scorer Peter Sullivan lines up on the left wing, with Ewan Baker on the right and Tom Bacon completing the back three at full-back.

In midfield, Dafydd-Rhys Tiueti and Morgan Adderly-Jones provide a blend of physicality and creativity as Coventry look to challenge the Pirates’ defensive structure.

Among the replacements, Coventry have named a blend of impact and versatility, with David Opoku-Fordjour included on the bench to bring firepower in the later stages of the game. In the forwards, Mikey Summerfield is named in the matchday squad, joining Coventry from Bath.

Coventry Rugby Team vs Cornish Pirates

Champ Rugby – Round 13 | Thursday 1st January 2026 | 15:00
Butts Park Arena

1. Aristot Benz-Salomon
2. Jordon Poole ©
3. Matt Johnson
4. Dan Green
5. Senitiki Nayalo
6. Allan Ferrie
7. Tom Ball
8. Morgan Strong
9. Sam Maunder
10. Josh Thomas
11. Peter Sullivan
12. Dafydd-Rhys Tiueti
13. Morgan Adderly-Jones
14. Ewan Baker
15. Tom Bacon

Replacements:
16. Murray Davidson
17. Keston Lines
18. Mikey Summerfield*
19. Jack Shine
20. Api Bavadra
21. Tom Miles
22. Tommy Mathews
23. David Opoku-Fordjour

With Coventry sitting fifth in the Champ Rugby table heading into the new year, the side will be looking to make home advantage count against a Cornish Pirates team arriving with plenty to play for.

Tickets available HERE – Limited seats available!