Launceston preview

Saturday November 6th sees Coventry visit Launceston, or more commonly known as the Cornish All Blacks (CAB) kick off 2.30 pm at Polson Bridge in their NL1 fixture. The re-organisation of the Championship 2 seasons ago saw Launceston relegated to NL1, where they finished a creditable 3rd last season, closely behind promoted Esher and runners up London Scottish.

CAB went through there own version of financial trouble in the summer, going into administration, which led to them being docked 20 points for the current season .This has left them at the bottom of the league presently on nil points despite winning 3 and drawing one game.

Despite the financial traumas they have largely managed to keep their squad together, although Jason Spice their recent recruit, has just been signed by Leicester Tigers. Poor discipline and yellow cards has cost them some games but they are always hard to beat at home, having lost by 1 point to Cambridge and drawing with Tynedale. At home they have also beaten Redruth and Sedgley Park.

Away from home it has been more difficult for the CAB’s losing narrowly to Stourbridge, Otley and Rosslyn Park. They also found Macclesfield a hard team to compete with, losing heavily on Saturday 36-7, which was curtailed early following a serious injury to Exeter DR prop Jack Andrew.

An experienced side under player coach fullback Mal Roberts, players to watch are leading NL1 try scorers centre Ryan Westren and winger Richard Bright. There is also experience in Ed Lewsey (Plymouth) and Pale Nonu (Samoa). Captain Tom Rawlings leads from the back row and Kai Done has recently signed.

Always a difficult place to visit, Coventry will be looking to build on the good points of their win over Wharfedale, whilst Launceston will be looking to bounce back from their set-back at Macclesfield.

With some injuries, including serious ones, picked up by Coventry on Saturday the Coventry squad will not be able to be picked until Thursday.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office