Coventry Rugby match previews w/e 10th/11th August...
By Tom Little.
August 8 2012
versus Tata Steel RFC and Newport RFC. This weekend Friday 10th August and Saturday 11th August sees Coventry Rugby make their annual pilgrimage to South Wales as part of their pre-season fixtures. Not only will it give Phil Maynard Rugby Director and the Coventry coaches a chance tosee many of the new squad in action for the first time, but will also give the squad a chance at team bonding in an away environment.A Coventry squad in excess of 30 including trialists is expected to make the journey with the intention of them all seeing some sort of action. Both games will consist of three 30 min sessions.
TATA STEEL RFC are the opponents on Friday night kick off 19.15 pm. Founded originally as S.C.O.W.(Steel Company of Wales), there followed a succession of name changes mirroring the change in ownership of the local steel works at Port Talbot. After S.C.O.W. it was British Steel RFC, then Corus and the present name Tata Steel RFC. It should be pointed out that no longer does the local steel works sponsor the club, which is now designated a feeder club for the local professional franchise The Ospreys.
The recent re-organisation of the Welsh League system has seen the semi-professional Premiership League clubs reduced to 12 and the next layer re-designated the Championship, which now includes Tata Steel as they finished up Champions of the Swalec League Division 1 West and thus promoted.
Coventry RFC have never met the Port Talbot side before in any of their previous guises.
NEWPORT RFC are Coventry’s opponents on Saturday 11th August kick off 2.20 pm at Rodney Parade. Coventry are well known to their opponents as they used to meet on a regular basis before the league system started. Founded in 1874 the same year as Coventry they have played each other 54 times with 2 draws and Newport winning 40 and Coventry 12. They have met 5 times since 1991 with only one victory by Coventry in 1994. Newport RFC are members of the semi-professional Welsh Premiership which has just been reduced to 12 clubs finishing 11th last season. With no promotion to any of the regional sides Newport RFC are closely associated with the regional franchise Newport Gwent Dragons, who also play at Rodney Parade as well as their Academy.
Another close encounter is expected as Coventry Rugby will look to put a marker down for the forthcoming National League 1 season.
Tom Little
Coventry Rugby press office
8th August 2012
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