News Roundup

By Second Row
July 6 2006

It's a slow news time as always at this time of the year (a lot slower than usual in fact), but perhaps it's time to round up what few items we have...

It's a slow news time as always at this time of the year (a lot slower than usual in fact), but perhaps it's time to round up what few items we have...

On the new player front,  winger Sam Montague, a former Barkers' Butts colt, has signed from fourth-division Rugby Lions. Sam debuted for the senior Warwickshire squad, and in Midlands 1 had a strike rate of one and a half tries per game (the fact that he only played two matches could possibly be relevant....).

Also making a move is fly-half Myles Dorrian, 23, from Sydney club Eastern Suburbs and the New South Wales Waratah Academy, where he was vice captain.

Club captain Hendry Rheeders, such an integral part of the forward pack, has resumed training, having had the encouraging news that no surgery is required on his shoulder as once feared.

Cov are now training four mornings a week with the emphasis on fitness and strength, and new links are being forged with one of the city's grammar schools, King Henry VIII - a huge source of local talent, including one Dai Duckham - and the morning sessions are to be moved to the school's facilities.

The focus will soon turn to the build-up to the new season, with the first target being a run-out against French side Toulon (sadly minus new signing Tana Umaga) on Tuesday August 15 (KO 7.30pm). Following that, GP sides Bristol and Northampton complete the programme. The Somerset side, hopefully led by former Cov favourite Shaun Perry, make the M5 trip on the 19th August (KO at the new standard of 2.30pm), while the Saints make the short hop on Friday 25th August (8pm).

The serious business then commences on September 2nd at Sedgley Park, where Cov will be looking to improve on last season's dismal showings against the north Manchester outfit.