Abstract: A rolling mill has a roll stand with work rolls defining a roll pass. The roll stand is removably mounted at an operative position at which its roll pass is aligned with the mill rolling line. A cover assembly is configured and dimensioned to cooperate in a closed position with roll stand to enclose the work rolls. A guide trough is integrally associated with the cover assembly. The cover assembly is alternatively adjustable from its closed position to either an open position allowing access to the work rolls when the rolls stand is in its operative position, or to a guide position at which the guide trough is aligned with the mill rolling line when the roll stand is removed from its operative position.