JACK Cobden will make his 100th appearance for
Nottingham after earning a recall to the starting XV for Sunday's
(February 24) British and Irish Cup crunch match against
Llandovery.
Cobden (pictured), 23, who
first featured for the Green and Whites on loan in 2008, comes in
for David Jackson on the left wing for the Pool 8
decider.
Forwards coach Neil Fowkes, who will be in charge for the cup
tie, is excited to have the former England under-20 World Cup
representative at his disposal for the must-win clash at Meadow
Lane (2.15pm kick-off).
"It is a great occasion for Jack to make a milestone
appearance," Fowkes said.
"He has been at the club a while now and 100 appearances is a
great achievement, because he has had to perform at a high level
for a long time to get there.
"I want to see him grasp this opportunity and really kick-on for
the rest of the season."
It is one of four changes made to the side from the match day 22
that was named to take on Jersey last week.
Back-row forward Phi Eggleshaw is poised to make his first
appearance this season, having undergone shoulder surgery in the
opening weeks of the campaign.
After more than six months on the sideline, Fowkes is eager to
test the 24-year-old in the game of high stakes.
"Phil has worked long and hard to get back into the side, and as
the coach for the weekend I benefit because it is like having a new
player in the squad," Fowkes said.
Nottingham needs a comprehensive bonus-point win over the Welsh
Principality Premiership side to top the group and progress to the
quarter-finals. The Green and Whites also need to keep the visitors
quiet, with Llandovery needing only a losing bonus-point to
progress to the knock out stage of the cross-border
competition.
Prop Matt Parr, flanker Brent Wilson and centre Joe Munro are
all rested for the Pool 8 decider.
Jonny Harris comes in at loosehead and Andy Forsyth slots in for
Munro at inside centre and Tom Calladine is promoted to openside
flanker for Wilson.
Fowkes said: "If we get the performance right, this team
can get us through to the quarter-finals."
Nottingham Rugby team to face Llandovery at Meadow Lane
on Sunday, February 24 (2.15pm kick-off):15 Andrew Savage
14 Alex Lewington 13 Tim Streather 12 Andy Forsyth 11 Jack Cobden
10 James Arlidge 9 Sean Romans 1 Jonny Harris 2 Joe Duffey 3
Michael Holford 4 Dan Montagu 5 Nic Rouse 6 Rupert Cooper 7 Tom
Calladine 8 Alex Shaw.
Replacements from:16 Shaun Malton 17 Ryan Bower
18 Joe Quinn 19 Phil Eggleshaw 20 Finlay Barnham 21 Rory Lynn 22
Joe Cobden.