TEAM NEWS: First squad of 2025 selected to face Coventry away

17th January 2025

Joe Ford and Sir Ian McGeechan have named their first line up of 2025 as the Knights travel down to Coventry for round 11.

Andrew Turner returns to the starting front row to join Joe Jones, with Fred Davies remaining the hooker in the middle. Prop, Conor Davidson is set to make his return from a knee injury as he joins Lewis Thiede on the bench. 

Our second row remains unchanged for the fourth week in a row, with our Captain, Ben Murphy and Adam Hopkinson. In the back row, Archie Smeaton slots in to the starting line up, with Thom Smith not included due to injury. Rhys Tait will be the other flanker, and Morgan Strong is our number 8. Taniela Ramasibana and Josh Williams are set to replace those forwards. 

Our half backs stay the same as last week, with Ollie Fox at 9 and Russell Bennett at 10. Alex Dolly and Morgan Bunting are both set to replace them from the bench. Zach Kerr comes in to the centres as George Wacokecoke picked up an injury at Hartpury. Kerr pairs up with our regular 12, Connor Edwards.

Our back three is unchanged from Hartpury, Telusa Veainu at full back, flanked by Jordan Olowofela and Maliq Holden on the wings. Harry Davey is our back three replacement. 

Starting XV | 15, Telusa Veainu. 14, Jordan Olowofela. 13, Zach Kerr. 12, Connor Edwards. 11, Maliq Holden. 10, Russell Bennett. 9, Ollie Fox. 1, Andrew Turner. 2, Fred Davies. 3, Joe Jones. 4, Ben Murphy (C). 5, Adam Hopkinson. 6, Archie Smeaton . 7, Rhys Tait. 8, Morgan Strong.

Replacements | 16, George Roberts. 17, Conor Davidson. 18, Lewis Thiede. 19, Josh Williams. 20, Taniela Ramasibana. 21, Alex Dolly. 22, Morgan Bunting. 23, Harry Davey. 

Unavailable for selection due to injury: Cory Teague, Semesa Rokoduguni, Thom Smith, George Wacokecoke, 

Note: Loan players, Arthur Green and Will Parry are unavailable for selection as they return to Bath this weekend for the Bath United fixture.