RUGBY UNION - Coventry Rugby name squad for first Matt Gallagher Cup game of season

The match will support the Matt Gallagher Foundation with the winning club to take home the trophy.

Coventry won the inaugural Matt Gallagher Cup in December 2025 before Nottingham took the trophy in April earlier this year.

Alex Rae has made four changes from the Coventry side which dismantled Cornish Pirates last weekend.

Murray Davidson comes in at hooker with captain Jordon Poole dropping to the bench.

Brothers Aristot Benz-Salomon and Jonny Benz-Salomon complete the front row.

Senitiki Nayalo and Rhys Fulford continue in the second row, while Dan Green joins captain Morgan Strong and Rhys Tait in the back row.

Josh Barton comes in at scrum-half for Sam Maunder who drops to the bench with Bruce Houston at fly-half.

Tommy Mathews and Api Bavadra continue in the centres while Alex Garrett comes in on the wing and Matt McNab and Tom Bacon retain their places in the side.

Coventry travel to Nottingham on Friday, October 2 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Lady Bay ground.

Starting XV: Aristot Benz-Salomon, Murray Davidson, Jonny Benz-Salomon, Senitiki Nayalo, Rhys Fulford, Dan Green, Rhys Tait, Morgan Strong, Josh Barton, Bruce Houston, Alex Garrett, Tommy Mathews, Api Bavadra, Matt McNab, Tom Bacon.

Replacements: Jordon Poole, Keston Lines, Coby Stanton-Ford, Mackenzie Graham, Marcus Rhodes, Sam Maunder, Dafydd-Rhys Tiueti, Peter Sullivan.

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