By Tom Little.
June 4 2013

Coventry Rugby are pleased to announce a further two players have been retained for the coming season making a total of 8 retained and 3 new signings, so far announced. Prop forwards Josh McNulty and Will Davis, both aged 18 will step out again for Coventry Rugby.

Josh McNulty, became the first Coventry RFC/ Academy player to come through the Academy system becoming a member of the senior Coventry squad, when last season he came on as a replacement against Blackheath. Josh also featured in a number of pre-season games last season and turned out for the Coventry Nighthawks side, although his Henley College commitments restricted his availability for the senior squad. Born in Coventry Josh attended Woodlands School and is able to play either side of the scrum, where he has not looked out of place.

Will Davis, impressed when he came on loan from Bristol Academy to Coventry Rugby towards the end of last season. Performances for the Coventry Nighthawks side saw him selected to partner Bronson Ross in the scrum making 6 appearances including 4 starts, and scoring 1 try for Coventry Rugby. The Bristol born player will remain at Coventry on a season long loan from the Bristol Academy. A hard working and running prop Will has settled in well to the squad.

It is expected that Coventry Rugby will announce  later this week a significant new signing of another former international player once matters are finalised.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

4^th June 2013.

Duo of young prop forwards retained by Coventry Rugby.

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 04/06/2013 08:18

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
04/06/2013 08:18

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

zinzanh
04/06/2013 19:24

More great news,Will looks the part and as for Josh ? Hometown boy!! Superb.

Reply Quote Report

Roger Fox
04/06/2013 19:45

Again a couple of young lads. Do we have enough older players to balance out youth and inexperience. I don't wish to criticise these young men. They do seem to have promise, but they need to learn from more experienced players.

Reply Quote Report

tom snr
04/06/2013 21:17

Roger- press release coming out on this thursday which should go someway to allay your fears.

tom little

Reply Quote Report

Kimbo
05/06/2013 10:45

This is what happens when the club does its 'drip feed' trick.

Reply Quote Report

johnsonbrainwilkes
05/06/2013 12:05

Former international prop joining then? Welsh perhaps? Ben Evans was at Moseley last season, is it him? (okay, wait for press release).

Reply Quote Report

tom snr
05/06/2013 15:24

nothing to do with props just comments to meet concerns.
as for drip feeding- important new signings warrant individual attention and publicity and I am virtually up to date with such announcements after next week-but with so many discussions ongoing there could be a sudden rush of signings.To maintain interest i try and mix up retentions with new signings.

Reply Quote Report

covkid53
06/06/2013 16:14

You know, these academy boys deserve an opportunity. They have won the BCS rugby title two years in a row, against some top opposition and they have won then came second in BCS sevens in the same period.

These are impressive statistics and having seen them in and around Henley college, I can tell you they are big strong lads, well drilled and ready for the fray.

Agreed, some steely old sweats are needed to bring them on, but lets not run away with the idea these lads are junior rugby players, they are well past that stage.

Reply Quote Report

Kimbo
06/06/2013 20:39

Quote:

covkid53
You know, these academy boys deserve an opportunity. They have won the BCS rugby title two years in a row, against some top opposition and they have won then came second in BCS sevens in the same period.
These are impressive statistics and having seen them in and around Henley college, I can tell you they are big strong lads, well drilled and ready for the fray.

Agreed, some steely old sweats are needed to bring them on, but lets not run away with the idea these lads are junior rugby players, they are well past that stage.

Well said.

Reply Quote Report

Mick Shaw
07/06/2013 10:00

I would like to see H & Cs no 8 Michael Ryan getting involved with Covs first team squad and getting game time. The future is positive a good mixture of youth and experiance

Reply Quote Report

covkid53
07/06/2013 17:22

Quote:

Mick Shaw
I would like to see H & Cs no 8 Michael Ryan getting involved with Covs first team squad and getting game time. The future is positive a good mixture of youth and experiance

Agreed, dont know now old Michael is, but the HC lads are between 16 and 19, so I think they should be brought in after the age of 18. We dont want to damage young guys bodies bringing them in too soon.

Reply Quote Report

rustyroof
07/06/2013 18:26

I feel this is were Cov would benefit from a regular second team as the next step for academy graduates. An environment where Cov can provide the next step in their development. The step up from academy to the first team is not realistic for most of them,due to lack of experience, physicality etc.

The apparent current lack of clearly defined phase 2 in the development process is a major hole in the system.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:06:07:18:32:10 by rustyroof.

Reply Quote Report

covkid53
07/06/2013 20:37

Quote:

rustyroof
I feel this is were Cov would benefit from a regular second team as the next step for academy graduates. An environment where Cov can provide the next step in their development. The step up from academy to the first team is not realistic for most of them,due to lack of experience, physicality etc.
The apparent current lack of clearly defined phase 2 in the development process is a major hole in the system.

Absolutely right.... similar to the old football U23 fixtures.

The whole of rugby needs to address this, only Uni's seem to fill this void currently.

Reply Quote Report

cuddles
11/06/2013 22:46

I think you have all missed a vital typo Will is not 18 he is 23 and has played in the champ

Reply Quote Report

Kimbo
12/06/2013 00:08

Quote:

cuddles
I think you have all missed a vital typo Will is not 18 he is 23 and has played in the champ

23, and still in the Bris Academy? Loooong gestation, that one.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net