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Joe Buckle makes his first Greene King IPA Championship start for Coventry Rugby in tomorrow’s Round 5 home match against Doncaster Knights (KO 3:00pm).

The hooker came off the bench against both Yorkshire Carnegie and Ealing Trailfinders in Rounds 3 and 4 and replaces Darren Dawidiuk in the team, with Scott Tolmie joining the replacements. Also coming into the starting line-up is David Halaifonua, whose try in West London last Saturday put Coventry into the position to take home a share of the points.

Former Doncaster centre Will Owen is named on the bench, along with prop Luc Jeannot.

Director of Rugby Rowland Winter says that the team has been in good spirits ahead of facing a tough challenge from the Knights.

“Competition for places in the match day squad is really intense at the moment, and the game players are driving this intensity at training every day,” he commented.

“We are trying to keep the squad fresh and trust our core group to perform well whatever combination of players we select.

“We are without Toby Trinder this week as he has deservedly gained an opportunity with Saints this weekend. In turn this gives an opportunity to Luc Jeannot, who has been training well & staying match sharp with game time at Chinnor.

“We expect Rob Knox, Andy Bulumakau, and George Oram to be back in full training over the next fortnight. The longer-term injuries to Gerard Ellis and Junior Bulumakau are progressing well, and both players are working hard on their post-operation rehab with our medical team.”

Saturday’s match is being preceded by the traditional Remembrance Ceremony and the reading by Executive Chairman Jon Sharp of those Coventry Rugby players who paid the ultimate sacrifice in World Wars I and II.

With pre-match and half-time entertainment from the City of Coventry Corps of Drums this will be a day for the city to enjoy.

By booking early supporters can save cash and beat any match day queues by using etickets to print at home or save to their smartphone. Head to coventryrugby.co.uk/tickets to order online 24/7!

COVENTRY RUGBY TEAM TO PLAY DONCASTER KNIGHTS
Greene King IPA Championship Round 5
Butts Park Arena
Saturday, November 9th, 2019
Kick off 3:00pm

15 James Stokes; 14 David Halaifonua, 13 Heath Stevens, 12 Rory Jennings, 11 Max Trimble; 10 Will Maisey, 9 Tom Kessell; 1 James Gibbons, 2 Joe Buckle, 3 Gareth Denman, 4 Nile Dacres, 5 James Voss, 6 Adam Peters, 7 Luke Wallace, 8 Ryan Burrows (capt)

16 Scott Tolmie, 17 Luc Jeannot, 18 Phil Boulton, 19 Senitiki Nayalo, 20 Jack Ram, 21 Pete White, 22 Will Owen, 23 Tony Fenner