By Coventry Evening Telegraph
April 29 2006

Coventry have confirmed the signing of county-born hooker Stuart Friswell from National Division One rivals Plymouth Albion. The 22-year-old front row forward, who was part of England's Under-21 Grand Slam-winning team two years ago, joined Plymouth from Leicester Academy before the start of last season.

 

Coventry Evening Telegraph

28^th Apr 2006

John Wilkinson

 

Coventry have confirmed the signing of county-born hooker Stuart Friswell from National Division One rivals Plymouth Albion.

 

The 22-year-old front row forward, who was part of England's Under-21 Grand Slam-winning team two years ago, joined Plymouth from Leicester Academy before the start of last season.

 

He was limited to six league starts behind Stewart Pearl, ironically a former Leamington junior, and veteran ex-England hooker Graham Dawe, who is director of rugby at Brickfields, in 2004-05 and has again had restricted opportunities this term.

 

"Stuart has signed and is looking forward to being back in the area," said Cov's head coach Mike Umaga.

 

"For me, this sends out a message to other players from around here that if they aren't getting what they are looking for where they are, maybe they should have a look at home.

 

"We want to resurrect the pride that used to be Coventry rugby and you always get that a lot stronger with boys born in the area."

 

Friswell, whose family home is in Brinklow, attended Bilton High School and obtained a national diploma in agriculture from Warwickshire College.

 

Centre Kieran Geraghty signed a new contract yesterday afternoon while Saracens fly-half Ben Russell will put pen to paper early next week.

 

Umaga has also agreed terms with winger Ben Toft, who joined Nuneaton from Leicester Academy before the March 1 registration deadline but suffered a hamstring injury after two games and has not figured since.

 

Winger James Moore is the major fitness doubt for tomorrow's final game of the season at Exeter after picking up a dead leg in last week's game against Cornish Pirates, the club he will be playing for next season. Dave Millard will come into the side if Moore is ruled out,while Rob Chrystie is given a start at scrum-half. Winger Kurt Johnson has recovered from the ankle injury that forced him off after scoring two tries in the Pirates game.

 

The pack is unchanged, and after a run of injuries Umaga has the luxury of including three forwards on the bench this week with Mike Buck-ingham, who broke his nose at Bedford two weeks ago, fit to return as back row cover.

 

Exeter are expecting a bumper crowd for their final game at the unique County Ground, where Cov have never enjoyed much luck, before their move to a new stadium in time for next season, and Umaga will be only too happy if his side can spoil the party.

 

"I'm pretty sure they'll be looking for a win," said Umaga, "but some of our guys will be playing their last game in Cov colours and will want to play well for their team-mates.

 

"We've played well in the last couple of games without getting the rub and perhaps it will be our turn tomorrow.

 

"Our forwards are down to the bare minimum, but they are a plucky lot and won't give in, and we have some good young backs who are really starting to show their promise for next season."