Ex-England flanker Matt Kvesic back for top-of-the-table Championship clash

Influential back-rower Matt Kvesic has given Coventry a boost by recovering full fitness ahead of the visit of title rivals Ealing on Saturday.

The experienced former England international missed last weekend’s league defeat at Cornish Pirates after being struck by illness.

Kvesic has since completed a full training week and according to head coach Alex Rae is available for selection for a contest from which a win takes Cov back ahead of the Trailfinders at the top of the table.

“Matt is back fully fit after not being quite right last week after suffering an illness,” he said.

“He’s played a lot of minutes this season so in a way having the chance to freshen him up was one positive to come out of him missing the Pirates game.

“Unfortunately we also lost Matt Johnson last week which is a real shame because he’s been playing well.

“But that is how it is – injuries also give other members of the squad the chance to step up and show what they can do. I trust all the lads and know whoever plays will do the shirt proud.”

Rae acknowledged that Coventry put in a disappointing performance during last week’s defeat and said the visit of last season’s Championship winners presents his team with an immediate chance to bounce back.

“The players knew last week wasn’t where we need to be and they were all very disappointed,” he said.

“When I walked into our Monday morning meeting instead of having to drag a few stragglers in everyone arrived ten minutes early and sat waiting like a group of naughty schoolboys which probably says it all.

“I have no idea why we were so flat, it’s sport and sometimes these things happen. Having a big game against Ealing coming up this Saturday gives us an immediate chance to learn from it and kick on again.”

Last season’s BPA clash with the Trailfinders saw Cov turn around an early 14-point deficit to register a famous win with a brilliant display of attacking rugby.

And having won eight of their ten games to date Rae believes his team will not lack either preparation or self-belief for a game which could be one of the season’s outstanding contests.

“The boys have trained really well and I have no concerns about our confidence levels as we have lots of good performances to draw on from earlier in the season,” he said.

“The things we lacked in Cornwall were energy and physicality and they’re the things we need in abundance this weekend.

“Over the last five or six fixtures against Ealing we’ve had some really good ding dongs and we’re looking for a good performance with a fast start that gets the crowd involved.

“Our home games seem to be turning into really big events for the city and with the Sky Blues also being away on Saturday it should be a great occasion.”

Coventry XV: Charlie Robson; Ryan Hutler, Daf-Rhys Tiueti, Tom Hitchcock, Jimmy Martin; Liam Richman, Josh Barton; Toby Trinder, Jordon Poole, Steven Longwell; Senitiki Nayalo, Obinna Nkwocha; Aaron Hinkley, Tom Ball, Matt Kvesic

Replacements: Will Biggs, Jevaughn Warren, Eliot Salt, James Tyas, Chester Owen, Fin Ogden, Tommy Mathews, David Opoku