With the start of the Championship relegation play-offs just three weeks away, rugby director Phil Maynard brings Jones straight into the starting line-up in a side which shows nine changes from the one that ran out at Rotherham last week when Cov went down heavily, 41-11.

“We want to get Nathan on line as quickly as we can, and once again the selection for a cup weekend has been influenced by availability,” said Maynard.

“This is another opportunity for people to stake a claim, and what we do want to see is a bit more of an attitude change – we’ve felt the criticism of our performances, from me right the way down, and it needs to be addressed.”

Missing through injury are prop Scott Roberts, hooker Matt Dwyer, lock Arthur Brenton, flanker Henno Venter and winger Romain Plantey, although all are likely to be back in the running when Cov travel to Neath next weekend – Venter, who was at first feared to have sustained ankle ligament damage at Rotherham, suffering instead from severe bruising.

Dwyer’s absence means that No.8 Aaron Carpenter doubles up as replacement hooker, a position he has filled at international level for Canada.

Added Maynard: “It’s another game where the level of performance is what matter and there is no question that we need to move that up.

“We have got to do it, it’s as simple as that – in three weeks’ time there will be no hiding place, and I’m still confident that we will come through.” Kick-off is 3.00pm.

Coventry: Russell; Frewin, Davies, C Lewis, J Lewis; Apiokotoa, Jones; Maddocks, McMillan, Hall, Dechartres, Herrington, Askew, Harrap, Carpenter. Replacements: Johnson, Mackenzie, Walls, Dugard, McGowan, Pons, Bignell.

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