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(A View From The Stand)
A Coventry Rugby Blog - 2026/27
The season ahead - 'we're just growin' up in stages'
I should be flying straight, no delay 'Cause time takes from everyone And we're floating here Waiting for our wave to come Take us to the place Takin' us where we have gone Hear it ask me all the time... I'm just growin' up in stages Patience - Tame Impala Kevin Parker may not feature prominently in many people's lists of the top 100 lyrics of the 21st century, nor indeed Tame Impala in the best acts, but as a long-suffering Cov supporter of some 65 years or so, there's somet
Coventry Rugby 28 Hartpury 25 - battling Cov clear Hartpury hurdle to reach semi final
Hartpury posed a significant challenge throughout the game, compelling us to adopt a different strategy from our usual expansive play. We committed errors and lacked some of our usual precision, but we stayed focused, maintained discipline, and executed the fundamentals effectively, especially at the scrums where we looked to have the opposition under a lot of pressure.
There was no sign of panic even when the points weren't coming and we gradually took control in the seco
Coventry Rugby 64 Worcester Warriors 28 - invading Warriors mauled by 9 try Cov in tactical masterclass
The problem for Warriors fans, as I see it, is that up until Christmas they believed everyone else saw there side as very much the 'enfant terrible' of The Champ, disliked by many for reasons which they felt were unfair, and in the case of some supporters (like those from Cov) grossly hypocritical. We see it differently, of course, but as a group it united them against a common foe and in so doing gave them strength.
Coventry Rugby 77 Cambridge 14 - ruthless Cov show no mercy as Tommy puts the boot in
Rae has said previously that he'll only bring in players who will strengthen the squad and his track record as far as recruitment is concerned is impressive...Imagine an additional 9 players added to this squad all better than those leaving. Not only does it give the coaches more options, it should also raise performance levels to even greater heights and narrow the gap between ourselves and Ealing, hopefully enabling us to be the best of the rest which is pretty much all we
Nottingham 33v Coventry Rugby 26 - Archers strike gold as Cov fail to hit the target
...whether this had any impact on the game itself is all hearsay BUT from the opening whistle Nottingham were as fired up as any team this season in those opening minutes. Notts flew out of the blocks and it took some excellent defence to keep them from scoring, with Cov struggling to gain any decent possession. Fired up they most certainly were but Cov managed to hold firm and Ferrie's opening try was really against the run of play. A second try two minutes later following a
Coventry Rugby 69 Caldy 12 - 10 try Cov overwhelm Caldy to send out clear marker for play offs
That's not so with Caldy. The have a little of the old school look about them - especially in the front row where fitness doesn't appear to be their greatest asset to be fair. Cov have a really mobile pack with the second rowers able to play in the back row such is their mobility around the park. Nayalo, Strong, Ferrie, Shine and Green are all excellent ball carriers, whereas Caldy really didn't have players who could punch holes in Cov's very well organised defence.
London Scottish 29 Coventry Rugby 54 - pipers' lament for brave Scottish as Cov cut loose
Interestingly, before the game, Cov led The Champ with more offloads than any other team in the league this season. They seem to have adapted better than most to the recent law changes regarding the lowering of the tackle, which now make offloads less risky than before, as noted by Shaun Edwards in today's The Rugby Paper. But that is true of the opposition, too, which is perhaps one reason why we're seeing more tries scored this season.
Coventry Rugby 44 Doncaster Knights 24 - a hard day's (k)night for Cov as Donny put to the sword
In the end, Cov proved far too strong for a battling Doncaster side that worked hard all afternoon and just about deserved their bonus point for scoring four tries. They were actually flattered a little, however, by the scoreline and had it not been for an uncharacteristically poor day off the tee from Tommy Mathews, the extra ten points from missed conversions might have been a truer reflection of the gulf in the end between the two sides.
Cov Rugby XV 24 Army 44: Cov youngsters stare down the barrel and show their mettle and the renaming of BPA
Those on the Cov side under the lights on Friday might encounter players with greater talent and potential skill this season, but I doubt they'll face a more intense physical battle. The Army showed no mercy for the youth or smaller size of their opponents. They were fierce in their tackles, relentless in the scrum, and, as anticipated, offered no concessions whatsoever...
Ampthill 36 Coventry Rugby 40 - no walk in the park but Cov character sees them through
When the final whistle sounded, the sun had emerged, bringing a sense of Spring with it. From the elevated pitch, one could see a few fruit trees in bloom, adding a burst of color to an otherwise drab landscape.
A metaphor for new beginnings perhaps, of hope for the future? As far as Cov is concerned, the shoots are already there for all to see.
Coventry 31 Rugby Hartpury 19: revenge - a dish best served when it's mild and a little wet and breezy
It wasn't a complete Cov performance by any means, but Cov were disciplined and denied Hartpury any sort of meaningful platform on which to build. At no point in the game did they lead Cov, although Hartpury had pegged us back to 14-14 at the break despite Cov looking the better of the two sides in the first half.
Coventry Rugby 14 Chinnor 19 - Chinnor forwards the difference in another disappointing Cov performance
In some ways, it's unfortunate that the Forum didn't occur a couple of weeks later - back then, we were on a 5 or 6 game unbeaten streak, and the meeting's tone was optimistic regarding our on-field performance. After the disappointing games against Bedford and Chinnor, I believe there would have been different questions posed to Alex Rae, and given his commendable honesty, some straightforward answers as well.
If the online Supporters' Forum is anything to go, the vulture
Bedford Blues 38 Coventry Rugby 31 - when the dream ends the reality is sometimes better...
With a minute to go before the break, Cov were 14 points clear and had they managed to defend their lines in the final play of the half, perhaps things might have been different. But urged on by a loud and understandably partisan crowd, Bedford's pack rumbled over the line and suddenly Cov were just 7 points clear and facing the steep slope (in rugby terms) second half, it always looked to be an uphill task from thereon in.
And so it proved.
Jan 2026 Supporters' Forum; 'to entertain, inspire and bring enjoyment to all' - with a little a help from our friends
Over the past four years, the club has incurred losses of £3.4 million, averaging around £800K annually.
This situation is unsustainable, and the club has historically relied heavily on personal investments from JS and more recently from BT.
BT acknowledged that Coventry Rugby has been pursuing the dream of Premiership rugby for too long, a dream that was always out of reach. It has become crucial for the club to now focus on achieving the more realistic goal of financi
Coventry Rugby 41 Cornish Pirates 26 - 15 men on a dead man's chest, yo-ho-ho and a Happy New Year
Well, Roll My Breakfast,
'Cause I'm A Hungry Man.
I Said Shake Rattle And Roll,
I Said Shake Rattle And Roll,
I Said Shake Rattle And Roll,
I Said Shake Rattle And Roll;
Pirates were at first shaken, then rattled but it's Cov who remain on a roll as they go into the break with 7 wins from their last seven outings, showing the sort of form that should see them comfortably into the play-off places come the end of the season in May.
Cambridge 19 Coventry Rugby 33 - bonus point win sees Cov continue winning run
...but Cov have slowly built up momentum and despite what was, for me, a pretty average display against Cambridge, they've consistently picked up points of late and look to be in a good place right now.
A significant amount of recognition should be given to Alex Rae and his coaching team. Despite facing criticism early on from certain quarters, they managed to ignore these external distractions and concentrate on their strengths, effectively responding to their critics
Hi. Welcome to the blog...
Back in 2022 and after an 18 month break, I thought I'd give the blog another airing.
Slimmed down (not unlike myself these days) and without the previous bells and whistles, this blog will hopefully still appeal to a few Cov supporters interested in reading yet another (and probably slightly different) viewpoint on a various topics relating to Coventry Rugby.
Comments are mine, and mine alone, unless otherwise stated.
I've not advertised this blog as I did the previous one, so the fact you're here is due to a fortuitous (for me) combination of keystrokes or a recommendation from someone else. How ever you managed to get here, you are most welcome.
By all means leave a comment at the end of a post and I'll get back to you and please feel free to pass the link on to anyone else who might be interested.
Up the Cov!
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