By Paul Smith 
Tight-head prop Matt Johnson makes a first start since December when Coventry host Nottingham tomorrow (Butts Park Arena, 3pm kick off).
The former Exeter powerhouse who dislocated a shoulder against Cornish Pirates eased back into action with 20 minutes from the bench during Cov’s round 19 Championship defeat at Doncaster last Saturday.
Coventry head coach Alex Rae makes a second front-row change through the rotation of skipper Jordon Poole and Suva Ma’asi as starting and replacement hookers.
This means Toby Trinder captains the Blue-and-Whites from loose-head while Jevaughn Warren and on-loan Sale prop Ralph McEachan provide the bench back-up.
Bath’s Mackenzie Graham plays a fifth Coventry game in the second row where he packs down alongside Rhys Anstey which means Dan Green reverts to a role among the replacements.
And Tiki Nayalo’s involvement in the Army’s Inter-Services Cup match against the RAF means Rae also makes a change in the back-row where Chester Owen returns at no.8.
By contrast, Coventry name an unchanged line-up behind the scrum where Jimmy Martin who has claimed 11 touchdowns so far this season seeks to extend his lead at the top of the club’s try-scoring table from the left wing.
On-loan Glasgow full-back Logan Trotter and local product David Opoku complete the back three where the versatile Will Lane again provides bench cover.
Cov persist with the centre combination of Oli Morris and Jake Henry that was first sighted at Doncaster last week, while leading scorer Tommy Mathews whose 78 per cent strike rate from the tee has delivered 127 points so far this term partners Sam Maunder at half-back.
The Blue-and-Whites lead Nottingham 2-1 this season with both of Cov’s successes coming in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
And according to Rae his team are focused on delivering 80 minutes to the standard they reached in the first half at Doncaster last week.
“We looked very dangerous while building a good first-half lead and barring an individual error would have gone in 24-3 ahead,” he said.
“When we play with the power, pace and accuracy we are capable of we are a match for anyone in this league.
“Our challenge over the last three games of the season is to deliver that sort of performance across the full 80 minutes.”
Coventry: Logan Trotter; David Opoku, Jake Henry, Oli Morris, Jimmy Martin; Tommy Mathews, Sam Maunder; Toby Trinder ©, Suva Ma’asi, Matt Johnson; Rhys Anstey, Mackenzie Graham; Tom Ball, Matt Kvesic, Chester Owen
Replacements: Jordon Poole, Jevaughn Warren, Ralph McEachan, Dan Green, Aaron Hinkley, Josh Barton, Tom Hitchcock, Will Lane
Tickets for Cov’s home game against Nottingham on Saturday May 17th can be purchased at https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/tickets/matchday-tickets/
