Steve Leonard will miss Hartpury's game against Coventry at the Gillman’s Ground tomorrow.
The centre is the most noticeable absentee in the team after he had a significant impact in last week’s fixture with the Cornish Pirates before being forced off with a hamstring strain.
Otherwise, the major change is in the engine room, where the substantial frame of Rob Fuller replaces the unavailable Gloucester Academy player Alex Craig at lock.
Fuller – who has had more than his fair share of injuries – has been playing mainly for Hartpury’s highly successful student side in the past couple of seasons, having last played league rugby in National One.
There is also a re-shuffle in the back three, where Mike Wilcox – who picked up a knock in pre-season – will be getting his first start of the campaign at full-back, with Ben Foley moving to the right wing.
Iain Grieve returns in the back row, after missing last week, while Dan Murphy steps back into the starting XV at loose-head.
Des Merrey provides cover for Murphy on the bench.
Also among the replacements is recently-graduated BUCS Super Rugby fly half, Sam Leeming.
Coventry followed Hartpury up into the Championship at the end of the last campaign – having conquered almost all in National 1 – returning to a level that they last graced twelve years ago.
"Coventry are certain to be a very stern test," said Hartpury director of rugby John Barnes.
"They have adapted quickly to the Championship and – with some very good recruitment of experienced players over the summer – we expect them to go well this year."
Former Gloucester players David Halaifonua and Darren Dawidiuk are not involved for Coventry, whose head coach is former Cherry and Whites backs coach Nick Walshe, but Gloucester-born Jack Preece makes his first start of the season in the back row.
Coventry's one defeat so far this season was away at Cornish Pirates, a side that Hartpury already know all too well.
In winning at the Gillman’s last weekend, the Cornishmen picked up their fifth straight victory over Barnes' men in little more than a year, despite Hartpury having the better opening period.
“After an excellent start, we gifted Pirates three tries by missing two simple one-on-one tackles and throwing an interception, which Robin Wedlake finished well from 80 metres out,” said Barnes.
“To go in behind at half-time was disappointing, as I thought we had played some good rugby, but individual errors at this level are usually punished,” he said.
“Then, for the second week in succession, we started the second half poorly and Pirates capitalised with their bonus point try. That seemed to knock us back a bit and Pirates began to open up with some great running rugby.
“They are a very good side – very well coached – and will be near the top again this year.
“However, we should have competed better and stayed in the game for longer. It is individual errors that are costing us dear at the moment.”
Tomorrow’s match kicks off at 2.30pm.
Hartpury: 15. Mike Wilcox, 14. Ben Foley, 13. Luke Eves, 12. Jamie Forrester, 11. Jake Henry, 10. Luke Cozens, 9. Richard Bolt; 1. Dan Murphy, 2. Will Tanner, 3. Rupert Harden, 4. Rob Fuller, 5. Simon Linsell (c), 6. Rob Langley, 7. Mat Gilbert, 8. Iain Grieve.
Replacements: 16. Luke Stratford, 17. Des Merrey, 18. Joe Morris, 19. Tom Pashley, 20. James Stephenson, 21. Sam Leeming, 22. Harry Cochrane.
Coventry: 15. Tony Fenner, 14.Rob Knox, 13.Andy Bulumakau, 12. Sam Tuitupou, 11. James Stokes, 10. Jake Sharp, 9. Pete White; 1. James Gibbons, 2. Scott Tolmie, 3. Charlie Beech, 4. Tom Jubb, 5. James Voss, 6. Jack Ram, 7. Jack Preece, 8. Adam Peters
Replacements: Phil Nilsen, Nathanael Titchard-Jones, Luc Jeannot, Kailus Hutchinson, Ben Adams, Tom Kessell, Heath Stevens.
