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The Lions have only played Nuneaton in a league game on one occasion and that was a long time ago. It was on 27^th October 1988, in the second season of the Courage leagues. Home and away fixtures had not yet arrived, Rugby were newly promoted, and it was Nuneaton’s turn to host that fixture. In those days Lions v Nuns was traditionally a Boxing Day affair in the hard-fought, no quarter given, local derby style but on this occasion league position and promotion were at stake as well.  

Rugby won by 15-18 with all of their points, six penalty goals, kicked by Chris Howard. Rugby suffered for their efforts though, with Phil Bowman being sent off and Mal Malik and Ian Dodson sustaining long-term injuries. At the end of the season the Lions were promoted behind Plymouth, and Nuneaton finished fifth. Eddie Saunders is the only Rugby Lion still playing who appeared in that game. Ironically Rugby lost the Boxing Day friendly at Webb Ellis Road 7-9. 

Nuns’ present league position is eleventh, just behind Rugby in the lower half of the table. Both sides have won one game and lost two but the Lions points difference is slightly better. Nuneaton were beaten away at Wharfedale in the opening game and lost at home to Sedgley Park a week later. Their win, by a single point, came at Stourbridge. Sedgley Park and Wharfedale are currently first and third in the league table, but the Lions games were lost to Bracknell and Harrogate, who occupy second and fourth places. 

Nuneaton have, like Rugby, also beaten Doncaster, a one-point victory at home in round 2 of the Powergen Cup. Last Saturday they disposed of Tynedale at Liberty Way in round 3 with a winning try late in the second half. That presented Nuns with a round 4 game against Bedford at Goldington Road on 18^th October. 

After the comprehensive defeat by Harrogate in their first home league game the necessity of a win at Liberty Way becomes more pressing for the Lions. Not only do they need to very quickly get back to the winning way that they re-discovered at Doncaster, but they also need to preserve their position in the Midlands pecking order. On form the two sides look evenly matched and much will depend on the injury lottery, but a spirited performance from the Lions, such as that against Exeter, would go a long way toward collecting the two points on offer.

Directions

Take the A5 North and then left onto A47 Nuneaton at the Longshoot pub. At roundabout go left onto Eastborough Way. The club is signposted off mini roundabout opposite the crematorium.