RUGBY – Pellegrini returns for the final day of Coventry Rugby with Cornish Pirates

PAT Pellegrini, the Championship’s leading points scorer, returns from injury as Coventry Rugby aim to secure their first win at Cornish Pirates.

The Tongan international missed half of his club’s Round 19 win at home to Scotland in London last weekend due to an infected foot.

But after a full week of training, Cov’s number 10 is ready to resume – for the last time in rugby league – his halfback partnership with the retiring Will Chudley.

Pellegrini’s return is the only change made by head coach Alex Rae to the team who have won eight consecutive bonus points, with the success of the last one dropped at the Exiles.

That means prolific try-scoring wings Jimmy Martin and Ryan Hutler join Tobi Wilson in a back three.

Cov know a first win at Mennaye Field will secure them at least second best in English rugby’s second tier and Rae is banking on a similar pack again to provide the possession with which attack-minded Cov can create this piece of history. .

With Tiki Nayalo still away on British Army duty, that means Matt Kvesic keeps his No. 8, and Obi Nkwocha adding height and bulk from the blind flank.

Rhys Anstey partners him with James Tyas in the engine room behind the experienced front row trio of Toby Trinder, Jordon Poole and Adam Nicol who have done so well in recent weeks.

Cov’s bench is also largely unchanged, with the exception of outside back Louis James, who will wear the No.23 shirt.

Rae paid tribute to his players’ commitment and level of enthusiasm at the end of a long season and said they travel with a lot of confidence.

Rae said: “We’re in a really good position at the moment having won eight over the jumps and we really want to keep that momentum going and finish strong.

“This record has been built on a very good work ethic from the players and we’ve seen more of that in recent days when training has felt more like the first week of the season than the last.

“Every time we step on the pitch the players are so focused on getting better and continuing to improve and if you have that attitude towards your time on the training pitch it makes Saturday so much easier.”

Coventry’s lineup

Coventry Rugby: Wilson; Hutler, Wand, Betteridge, Martin; Pellegrini, Chudley; Trinder, Poole, Nicol; Tyas, Anstey; Nkwocha, Ball, Kvesic.

Subs: Ma’asi, Nairau, Salt, Owen, Ryan, Lane, Mannion, James.