The Update - Trailfinders come to play

Week four of the season already, and a big test at the BPA as Ealing Trailfinderscome to visit in the Championship. With three matches played already, how are Coventry looking so far? Is this our biggest home match of the season?

Last season Ealing Trailfinders won the English Championship, and were only denied promotion by their curious naivety with regard to the regulations.  This season they appear to have recruited strongly again. Although they are only sitting in second place, below Jersey Reds, they have a 100% 5-0 league point record, and are only second on points difference, +69 points, against Jersey's +75. Clearly this puts them as favourites, and Coventry as the underdogs for Saturday's match.

However, Coventry with two wins from three have not made a bad start to the season. The young squad, probably half the numerical strength of Ealing's, and lacking several very experienced players from last season, is beginning to gel together well. For me the pack has been the good surprise. It is where a lot of experience has gone from, and where most significant early injuries have occurred, and it was expected to have the greatest difficulties in coping with the larger, heavier, more streetwise packs of other Championship teams. Instead with two of our three opponents so far being heavily forward-driven teams, it has competed well even with the captain's armband being passed around nearly as fast as the compression bandages. The backs too are performing well together, with losses less caused by recent injuries, and here the comparative youth of the team is leading to sparkling moments of excitement that for me have more than made up for the lack of experience.

So, Coventry, as underdogs, have nothing to lose, but the opportunity of gaining pride in the shirt, and in the city, if they put on a quality performance. They need to start better than of late, and to stick to the game plan - it is their plan, at their ground, and in front of their crowd. Although the crowd versus Ampthill was smaller than would have been hoped for, ist was a noisy proud crowd, giving plenty of support to the Coventry team.

Ealing does not travel with many supporters, despite the easy run up the M40. They do not even play in front of many home supporters. But, even with this the noise should not affect them with the wealth of experience in their squad, both in the premiership and in better-supported clubs in the Championship. The volume of support is not about showing their players anything; it is telling our players how much support they have, as they attempt to get their best result. It seems that The Rugby Paper has chosen this match as the Championship featured match of the week. OK - the other most interesting matches are on Friday night but even so, of the four Saturday games it is not just Ealing's presence that makes our match the most interesting and significant game. This is the significant game for this weekend.

By the end of the season this match may be long forgotten. I have every confidence that with how Coventry are playing the final month of the season will be about pride and position, not promotion or relegation. We have critical matches early in the season, and in the For this depth of winter. Tomorrow is a chance for an amazing result, but if it is not to be, it is another chance for our team to develop.

Come along, and do what you can to make the day special.