Cov call on fans to make the difference in clash with Bees

COVENTRY are urging their supporters to get behind the team and make a difference in tomorrow’s Championship relegation play-off game against Birmingham & Solihull at the Butts Park Arena. Bottom of the four-team league after last weekend’s opening round of matches, Cov regard a win tomorrow as vital to their hopes of survival in the second tier – and rugby director Phil Maynard believes

that the crowd can play a major part in the outcome and be a 16th man for Cov.

“If the crowd gets behind us, as we know they can, it will give the players a major lift,” said Maynard.

“There are going to be some good things done out there and some bad things but we need the fans to cheer the lads on whatever is happening.

“People who were at Wakefield a few seasons ago, when Cov had to win to stay up, know what an impact their support had on the players on the field then and we can only ask everyone to get behind us now and help us through what is another massive game for the club.”

Cov have already beaten their neighbours twice this season, 21-6 at Sharmans Cross Road in November and 24-7 at home in early February but Maynard considers that those results will have little bearing on this game.

“It probably won’t hold any relevance – they have some key players involved again, especially in the pack, and beating Moseley last week and putting up a good performance will have given them a big boost.

“They will be giving it everything and putting their bodies on the line but we expect our players to do the same. They are all aware of the importance of the game.

“We need to produce enough quick ball in the right areas to apply pressure and keep our concentration for the full 80 minutes to simply make sure we win the game, by whatever margin.”

Maynard will not announce his side until today and has concerns in the front row after hooker Ross McMillan, who captained the team at Rotherham last weekend, twisted an ankle in training on Wednesday.

Back row Aaron Carpenter, who can also play at hooker, faces a late test on a shoulder injury and centre Chris Lewis is fighting to be fit after picking up a knee injury at Rotherham.

“We’ve got a few knocks to clear up,” said Maynard. “The front row is a source of concern– we have been given dispensation by the RFU to register another player but they have not been responding to calls this week as we try to sort out the position. It’s not ideal but Dai Maddocks will hook if need be and we have got it covered. It’s time for everyone to step up and get the result we need.”

Birmingham’s side shows seven changes from their starting XV at the Butts Park Arena in February – Cov’s last win – with experienced forwards Matt Long and Alex Davidson back to fitness.

B&S: Foden; Hunt, Holtby, Lawson, Elliott; Patston, Brown; Long, Philpott, Sperandio, Davidson, Noonan, Connolly, Bell, Clayton, Reps: Williams, Mitchell, Preece, Orme, Phillips, Dowding, Pittfield.