Cov start strengthening squad with signing of former England


By Brian Dick, Coventry Telegraph.
May 14 2013

Under-18 hooker...

Coventry are set to confirm the signing of hooker Chris Locke as they begin building for the 2013-14 campaign.

The 23-year-old has agreed to join from Championship outfit Bedford Blues where he has been a regular member of Mike Rayer’s squad for several seasons.

The former England Under-18 made a massive impact in his breakthrough season in 2011-12 when he made nine league starts and twice as many appearances off the bench for the Goldington Road outfit.

However, last season was a stop-start campaign for the Northampton-based front rower and Phil Maynard has opted to give him a new beginning.

“He’s a very good young talent,” the rugby director said. “He’s been playing with some very experienced players at Bedford in recent seasons and just needs the oxygen of first-team rugby to kick on.

“He’s had a few injuries last season but he’s an excellent ball-carrier, is very prominent in the loose and is someone we can rely on at set-pieces. I’m delighted to have brought him on board.”

Locke started one game for Bedford last term, against Newcastle Falcons in March as Neil Cochrane and Scott Spurling have dominated game-time.

 

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Cov start strengthening squad with signing of former England
Posted by: Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged)
Date: 14/05/2013 14:15

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Re: Cov start strengthening squad with signing of former England
Posted by: Roger Fox (IP Logged)
Date: 14/05/2013 14:38

This appears to be another good signing, but someone evidently in need of game time and development. What we need is an older player or even players, from the upper levels, who is looking for an easing into eventual retirement.

Re: Cov start strengthening squad with signing of former England
Posted by: covkid53 (IP Logged)
Date: 14/05/2013 16:21

For sure we need talented rugby players here with as much experience as possible. The good thing is he is stepping down so should be able to cope with the physicality required.

A squad built like this could challenge the top 4 if the team get of to a flyer and maintain it.

Encouraging news.

Re: Cov start strengthening squad with signing of former England
Posted by: Kimbo (IP Logged)
Date: 14/05/2013 18:33

Welcome, Chris.

Re: Cov start strengthening squad with signing of former England
Posted by: TryBlues (IP Logged)
Date: 14/05/2013 22:10

You have a good signing there. He seems to have been around the Blues 1st team for ages, since his late teens.

He is still young but has played quite a lot of games considering his age for the Blues, who have finished regularly in the top 4 in the Championship. Unfortunately we have had 2 quality hookers this year and his game time has therefore been limited.

He is not the biggest hooker, but his lineout throwing is accurate, he's quick in the loose and punches above his weight.

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