By David Hibell
September 19 2003

The Shoguns look to get their season back on track after last weeks knock back with their first away game of the league campaign which will be the last ever fixture at Coundon Road between the two sides as Coventry will be moving grounds.

Coventrys starting fifteen includes the familiar faces of Richard Siveter and Simon Martin, both products of the Bristol under 21s sides.  For Simon Martin the match must hold painful memories as it was in the corresponding fixture last time we were in Division one that he played his last game for us due to the horrible injury he sustained.  That game was the first loss of the campaign for us and everyone associated with Bristol will be looking to reverse that this time around.

 

Simon was playing fly half at the time in a season in which we went through at least four fly halves that I can think of due to injuries etc!  Many people will recall his games in the centre for us in partnership with Kevin Maggs which was a young but very effective pairing.  Richard Siveter will also have a point to prove against the Shoguns front row.

 

Ben Gerry and Adam Billig will also be renewing acquaintances having played alongside the talented Mark Meenan at Leicester and Coventry will be hoping to get their season off the ground with their first win.

 

Both sides have exciting backs and have suffered at the hands of large packs recently, it should be a corker, fingers crossed that the result for us last week was the shot in the arm needed – good luck to all the guys playing, we’re right behind you.

 

Coventry team

 

15 Mark Meenanr (new signing this season)
14 Kurt Johnson
13 Tim O'Shea
12 Simon Martin
11 Matt Richards (new signing this season)

10 Luke Smith
9 Rob Chrystie (new signing this season)

1 Richard Siveter
2 Richard Protherough (new signing this season)
3 Stuart Meddick (new signing this season)
4 Dave Campton
5 Ben Gulliver
6 Lee Crofts
7 Danny Collins
8 Shaun Brady

Replacements

16 Rich Moore (new signing this season)

17 Trent McMurray
18 Rob Hurrell (new signing this season)
19 Richard Stott (new signing this season)
20 Mick Curtis
21 Shaun Perry
22 Ally McLean