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Coventry sign ex-England U20 man Aaron Hinkley a year after shock exit
By Josh Raisey
Coventry have announced the signing of former England U20 flanker Aaron Hinkley.
The 25-year-old will move to Butts Park just over a year after his shock departure from Northampton Saints in the Gallagher Premiership.
The back row had made 19 appearances for the Saints before leaving the club by mutual consent in March 2023.
Hinkley began his rugby career in Gloucester’s academy set-up in 2017 before moving to Exeter Chiefs three years later, and then to the Saints in 2022.
This will mark Hinkley's return to Coventry after a six-match loan spell with the Championship club in the 2021/22 season while with the Chiefs.
“I really bought into Alex and James Scaysbrook and what they were trying to achieve when I spent some time in Cov on loan from Exeter,” Hinkley said after the move was announced.
“Now I’m trying to get back into rugby I immediately thought of Coventry because everyone at the club treated me so well when I was there before.
“I especially remember what a great place the Butts Park Arena is. We played Bedford and won by one or two points in a match that finished with something like 12 against 13 at the end and it was a brilliant atmosphere.
“Firstly, there is no doubt in my mind that I would love to be part of a squad that wins the league.
“On a personal level I’m looking forward to getting back to playing regular rugby and enjoying it.”
Coventry head coach Alex Rae added: “Aaron is a huge talent and ours and his job now is to help him realise that potential.
“When meeting with him the thing that stood out was his enthusiasm and desire to really work hard and kick on.
“He’s got a really good connection with people at the club and were confident we can give him the support and environment to play his best rugby.”
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Latest Comments
Vaai is finally having his breakout year getting comfortable and showing great form at lock, and there are form players and experience all across the backrow, why on earth would you drop him to 6. Ridiculous
Go to commentsSo far, the All Blacks have won 8 matches out of 11 this year. That is a near 73% win rate. AB fans and, I assume, the team itself are not content with that and have everything to play for with the remaining 3 tests this year.
Their historical average is something like 77% these days and, although some years will always be better than others it is not likely to drop that dramatically to 70% any time soon. There is too much historical inertia on the stats. It is like saying Ireland’s form of the last 10 years or so is likely to reverse a historical average of 48% wins soon. It just isn’t.
Moreover, when you say they are ‘doomed’ to a 70% flatline are you not just assuming that Ireland will beat them again? How did that work out for you last time?
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