But after rugby director Phil Maynard outlined the club’s position, Canada’s national senior programme manager Brent Johnston has agreed to allow Mackenzie to stay in England – revealing his own family link with the city.

“My mom was born in Coventry, and survived the air raids in Gretna Road,” wrote Johnston. “I will always look to be on side.

“We appreciate the importance of the situation for the club and wish you all the very best going into the future.”

Said Maynard: “I wrote to Brent and explained what the situation was at the club, what it means to us to stay up and how important Phil is to the squad.

“IRB regulations mean that we are duty bound to release players if their countries insist, and the first e-mail I received said that Phil is seen as vitally important to Rugby Canada’s success in the future.

“Phil was delighted to be considered for the Sevens squad again, but told me he was willing to give up his international future to stay and help the club.

“Happily it hasn’t come to that, and we are very grateful to Brent for allowing him to remain here.”

Maynard applauded the spirit shown by Cov at Nottingham on Sunday despite the size of their 43-17 British & Irish Cup defeat.

“Nobody here today could say that the players weren’t committed,” he said.

“The lads stuck to it from first to last, and we were simply undone by some great counter-attacking.

“There were mistakes which cost us, and we seem able to come up with different ways of losing by 30 points.

“But there was a lot of effort out there and we will just carry on working hard until we get it right.”

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