By Tom Little
November 22 2010

This Saturday 27th November, at BPA kick off 3pm sees Coventry meet Rosslyn Park in their home NL1 fixture. Rosslyn Park, based in the Roehampton area of London, have a long and proud history, being formed in 1879, 5 years later than Coventry. There is even a long club connection going back to the 1890’s with France, which has been continued with the present French Head Coach ex Wasps and Stadt Francais flanker Florent Rossigneux.

Coventry have played Rosslyn Park five times since the leagues were formed, their last meeting was in the 1995/6 season, when Coventry completed the double.  In more recent times perhaps their most famous and respected player was England and rugby legend Andy Ripley, who sadly died this year. 

Rosslyn Park promoted last year from NL2 South are currently in 9^th position, one point ahead of Coventry having played 12 games and won 5. Under Head Coach Florent Rossigneux they have recruited heavily for this season going for Premiership experience such as Mike Baxter No 9 (ex Bath), hooker Ben Gotting (ex Wasps), and ex London Irish pair winger John Rudd and centre Charlie Gower.  There is also a dual registration arrangement with London Wasps.

Other players to watch are dangerous running fullback Ollie Lindsay-Hague, and experienced No 10 ex Scottish international Ross Laidlaw. Ex Coventry centre Chris Lewis has also been scoring tries for Park.

An experienced side with a strong pack and backs, Florent has encouraged his team to play the game in the spirit of Andy Ripley.

Results wise Rosslyn Park have won 5 games including perhaps their best result of the season a home win over London Scottish. Other wins were over Launceston, Otley, Tynedale away, and Cinderford.  All matches even when lost have been very close allowing Rosslyn Park to pick up bonus points.

Another close and exciting match is expected this Saturday at BPA, as Coventry need to put behind them their brave but narrow defeat away at London Scottish, whilst Rosslyn Park need to get their season back on track having lost their last 2 matches with a narrow loss away to Cambridge, and then a heavy home defeat to Macclesfield.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

COVENTRY RUGBY V ROSSLYN PARK PREVIEW.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 22/11/2010 17:30

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
22/11/2010 17:30

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covkid53
22/11/2010 20:25

Doesn't seem like relegation at the moment with games against Blackheath and Rosslynn Park etc; does it ?

Great old clubs and I remember when we played them in the "good old days".

Sad really.......

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