FORMER Cross Keys captain Rob Nash’s career as skipper of Coventry has got off to a flying start with his new side unbeaten this season.

The openside flanker signed for the famous West Midlands club, whose former great players include England legend David Duckham, last month on a two-year deal.

They snapped up the 27-year-old after he impressed them while playing for Keys in a 36-12 pre-season friendly win over the National League One side.

Coached by ex-Newport Gwent Dragons second row Scott Morgan, Coventry are riding high in the third-tier of English rugby, making no secret of their ambitions of gaining promotion to the Championship at the end of the season.

There are further Rodney Parade links, the squad also containing former Dragons outside half Matthew Jones and tighthead prop Tim Ryan (once-capped Wales full back Barry Davies is also there).

They have won three from three and are currently third in the table, two leagues below the Aviva Premiership and Championship.

Coventry recorded a thrilling but rather fortunate 32-31 away victory at Richmond on the weekend to maintain their 100 per cent record, but Nash wasn’t entirely happy with their performance.

“We didn’t deserve to win and Richmond were by far the better side, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes,” he said.

“It’s going well for me in general and we’ve had a great start to the season. I’ve settled in well and the boys have been great, making me feel very welcome.

“I was a bit worried moving here in how I would be accepted after leaving Keys where I have some of my best friends.”

Bricklayer Nash is from Pontypool and still lives in the town, making the long commute to Coventry twice a week to train and play and is juggling his rugby life while also working and studying.

“I take turns in driving up there with Barry, Matthew and Tim, so that’s not so bad.

“I’m pretty busy at the moment, I work for Bron Afon Community Housing in Llantarnam and I’m doing a HNC in building technology and management at The College Ystrad Mynach with a view of moving into a supervisory role and I’d love to go on and do a degree one day.”

And Nash believes there is a distinct difference in Welsh and English rugby cultures and he’s busy learning to adapt to the new style of play.

“There are some big, strong lads in England and they don’t seem to have as much of a skills set as Welsh boys,” he said.

“They would rather drive straight down the middle and rely on brute strength rather than use their skills and brain.

“When I first encountered it in training, I thought, ‘This isn’t going to work,’ but I’m not so sure now.

“At Keys I was a strong ball carrier but I’m almost trying to find a new role for myself.”