Boss Phil Maynard shocked by Darren Clayton's ban

COVENTRY are planning an appeal against the eight-week suspension handed out to flanker Darren Clayton by an RFU disciplinary panel – a verdict which came as a shock to the club’s rugby director, Phil Maynard. Clayton, who was cited by Sedgley Park after their game at the Butts Park Arena on February 28, denied a charge of an offence contrary to good sportsmanship, but was found guilty at

a hearing in Stoke on Trent and banned from playing until May 26.

If upheld, the decision would leave Cov with just five available back five forwards for the last month of the season as they battle to preserve their National Division One status.

“It was a bit of a shock,” said Maynard. “It wasn’t made on interviews or video evidence, but on the word of the Sedgley Park player involved. The recommended minimum ban for gouging is 12 weeks, so just what is Darren guilty of? As such, we are considering an appeal.”

Cov have 14 days from the date of the hearing to lodge any appeal.

Park No.8 Oliver Cook, who was sent off in the game for punching, received a one-week suspension. The panel comprised chairman John Brennan, Andrew Lockhart and Bob Taylor.

Coventry have been given RFU dispensation to sign Oxford University prop Kevin Davis as emergency front row cover until the end of the season following an injury to Ricky Whitehall.

The 23-year-old England Under-19s and Students forward has just returned from a two-match tour to Japan with a combined Oxford and Cambridge Universities squad and is expected to figure in Saturday’s home game against Exeter.

Davis spent two years at Nuneaton, originally on loan from Leicester Tigers, and made 41 appearances for them between February 2006 and the end of last season.

Cov flanker Ben Pons is set to be released today from Solihull Hospital where he has been recovering from a severe allergic reaction after being taken ill on the way home from Cov’s game at Esher on March 21.

Rugby Lions hooker Matt Price was suspended for two weeks at the Stoke hearing following his sending-off for striking an opponent in the National Division Three South game against Barking on March 7.