After what seems a long break since Ampthill's narrow defeat to Jersey Reds at Dillingham Park in the Greene King IPA Championship, the 1st XV resume their RFU Championship Cup campaign with an away trip to Coventry Rugby Club.
Ampthill were given a rude awakening to Level 2 Rugby when Coventry visited Dillingham Park in September with a 17-47 defeat. Having finished the first block of cup fixtures with a record of Played 3, Won 1, Lost 2. Coventry, by comparison, finished with a record of Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1. Ampthill's highlight was a surprise away win to Bedford Blues whilst Coventry's only low point has been a narrow defeat to Ealing Trailfinders (Current Cup Holders).
With most of Ampthill's dual-registered players being recalled this week for Premiership Shield duties, the squad will be more familiar to the traveling Maroon and Gold supporters, with Sam Hanks and Jarryd Sage returning from injury in the centres. Leon Fukofuka and Luvuyo Pupuma make their full debut for Ampthill. Louis Grimoldby assumes responsibility of Captain with Dave Ward, Darryl Veenendaal and Billy Johnson on the bench.
“It’s been a long first block of the season and the squad have enjoyed their week off. We have chosen to make a number of changes to the side that were maybe unlucky to come out of the Jersey game with only a losing bonus point, and to give a number of others a chance to stake a claim for a place in the starting side going forward.
Coventry have had an excellent start to the season, and it will give us a chance to see how far we have progressed since we played them at Dillingham Park in our first ever game at level two.”
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Coventry Squad
Toby Trinder
Joe Buckle
Luc Jeannot
James Voss
Alex Woolford
Ben Nutley
Jack Ram
Senitiki
Will Flinn
Tony Fenner
Henry Purdy
Will Owen
Rob Knox
James Martin
Dan Lewis
Jimmy Stevens
James Gibbons
Gareth Denman
Nile Dacres
Ben Adams
Pete White
Will Maisey
David Halaifonua