By Brian Dick, Coventry Telegraph
November 26 2009

ROOKIE David Askew will be thrown into the deep end on Friday with his first senior start. That comes in the British and Irish Cup as Scottish Premiership side Heriot’s FP travel to Butts Park Arena looking to inject some momentum into their season. The Goldenacre outfit are one place above the relegation zone in their domestic league and have lost their last four matches.

But last weekend’s narrow 5-0 defeat to Championship high-fliers Nottingham will give them the belief they can cause an upset against Cov.

As does Coventry’s selection problems, which are particularly acute in the back row.

Rugby director Phil Maynard is without three opensides and will be forced to hand 19-year-old Worcester loan player Askew a senior debut.

Richie Bignell is out for a week with a foot problem, Ben Pons could miss the next three weeks with a shoulder injury and Askew’s Sixways colleague Jake Abbott is away on duty with the England Sevens.

Bignell is due to have a cortisone injection and Maynard hopes he will be fit for the return to Championship action at home to Bedford on Friday week.

And the news about Pons is better than first feared. The youngster, who had been in the form of his life when he picked up his knock, might have had to have surgery on his condition which would have ruled him out for at least two months.

But the decision has been made to try to rehabilitate the joint with a view to him being ready before Christmas.

Nevertheless that leaves Askew to step into the breach for what would be his first start in senior rugby.

“We haven’t seen much of him but he looked alright in the 15 minutes he had against Munster last week,” said Maynard.

“This is why we have these lads in to give them the opportunity to play some first team rugby.

“He has the raw materials to suggest he’ll cope well.”

Maynard must also choose between another young Warrior, Joey Carlisle, and new boy James Thomas who replaced the mercurial fly half in last Friday’s 20-13 reverse.

Teen rookie to get first Cov start

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 26/11/2009 16:16

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
26/11/2009 16:16

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Coventry Steve
26/11/2009 17:41

I for one wish David askew all the best on his debut for us, i am sure he will be fine and be a great asset to our squad during his time here -
GOOD LUCK DAVID -
COME ON COV !

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