Boss gives underdogs Cov RAE of hope at Warriors

COVENTRY are under no illusions as to the challenge facing them in Champ Rugby as they prepare to kick off their season against league newcomers Worcester Warriors at Six-ways.

- By PAUL EDDISON

A sellout crowd of 9,000 supporters is expected for Worcester’s return to competitive rugby on Saturday, three years after the club was suspended by the RFU due to financial insolvency.

With the likes of former England internationals Billy Twelvetrees and Matt Kvesic, as well as experienced Prem performers like Josh Bassett and Matt Rogerson, Warriors come into the season with big ambitions, while Coventry will look to improve on last year’s fifth-place finish.

Alex Rae’s side looked to be title contenders early in the season before falling back in the second half.

But this time around, Rae is happy to start off the new campaign with one of the toughest of all the tasks.

He said: “We're the bridesmaids; you look at their team full of internationals, British Lions, hundreds of Premiership appearances, so on paper, no one will give us much of a hope, which is quite a nice place to be as the underdogs.