Tom, Turfed Out and Training

As we dash headlong in Round 13, thought I would try to get you in the mood with a look at some of things you might have missed.

This week started with the second Premiership Cup Semi-Final, Ealing Trailfinders v Leicester Tigers at Vallis Way, the winners trying to join Gloucester who, on Saturday, dumped out holders Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm.  A strong first period saw Glaws hold off the Chiefs, an excellent performance by Zach Mercer makes me wonder why he's not playing for England?  Still, that's for another day.  I have to say Ealing gave it a great shot in their tie, an impressive pack performance to the fore but undone by errors and mistakes. Seven or eight handling errors , coupled with two interception tries and that was that, 29-21 to Tigers.  The final at Kingsholm is on March 15th I believe and the winners coming from Cov's group? Maybe. 

Mid-morning on Monday brought a surprise for me with a statement from Doncaster.  The statement, an exercise in understatement and brevity, said ' Doncaster RFC and Steve Biden, Director of Rugby, have parted company with immediate effect, for Steve to pursue other opportunities.   The Board of DRFC wish Steve the very best  wishes for the future.'  I believe that Joe Ford, brother of George Ford , will be taking over the duties in the interim.  Worth watching events at Castle Park with, of course , Cov travelling for our next away Championship fixture on March 2nd. 

On the Cov, Blue and White front, yesterday ( Tuesday ) saw the playing squad travel to Sale Sharks for a training session.  It seems to be something the coaching team, Alex Rae, James Scaysbrook and Gordon Ross like, yesterday's visit following on from previous ' away day' sessions such as the earlier one at Rugby School. Trying to keep the training fresh and different would seem to be one way. 

Also yesterday, Coventry Rugby announced the loan signing, until the end of the season, of Centre/Wing , Tom Hitchcock from Ealing Trailfinders.  The full press release  from Coventry Rugby can be found on it's own thread, but suffice to say Alex Rae seems quite pleased with this signing.

Until next time. 

Paul