By Brian Dick, Coventry Telegraph
April 2 2010

COVENTRY have received a massive boost ahead of this weekend’s potentially decisive relegation derby with Moseley. After struggling for weeks to find another hooker, the Butts Park outfit have re-signed Joe Merrigan for the remainder of their play-off campaign. The Irishman has been allowed to return to the club he left when it went into financial meltdown at the end of last year after Cov were given special dispensation by the RFU.

Although the transfer deadline has technically passed, Phil Maynard was forced to seek help from the governing body when incumbent Matt Dwyer returned to duty with the Army and Ross McMillan was struck down with an Achilles injury.

And with McMillan still only 50-50 for Saturday’s clash, Merrigan’s return could not come at a better time, indeed he is likely to go straight into a team still looking for its first post-season win.

“Joe flew in at 6am on Wednesday morning and has three sessions to get the lineout sorted,” Maynard said.

“It’s almost the perfect outcome for us because he already knows the systems and he is very popular in the squad. The boys love him and he’s also a very good player – he was our No 1 before he went.”

It is not the first time Coventry have welcomed back a player that left when they were put into administration. Merrigan follows fellow front-rower Scott Roberts in returning to Butts Park and Maynard insists there will be no problem integrating him back into the squad.

“He didn’t leave under a cloud or anything, he just couldn’t afford to stay without being paid – that’s fair enough,” the rugby director said.

“He has kept himself in shape and has played regular club rugby in Ireland. He has also played a couple of A league games with Connacht.

“He has come back for the right reasons – to help us – and it’s good we have someone familiar in a position where there are technical issues.”

Maynard is also hopeful inside centre Chris Lewis will be available for the Moseley clash.

Merrigan returns to help boost Coventy

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 02/04/2010 17:06

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
02/04/2010 17:06

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Coventry Steve
02/04/2010 19:12

Great news - Merrigan is a powerfull forward , and lets be honest no one could blame the guy for leaving the club at the time, i know i could not afford to stay somewhere that was in administration with the worry of not being paid!
FAIR PLAY TO HIM COMING BACK TO PLAY FOR US
COME ON COV !!!!!!!!!!!

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