Pirates Ready for Final Pre-Season Encounter

For their third and final pre-season encounter, the Cornish Pirates travel to play Carmarthen Quins on Saturday. The kick-off at Carmarthen Park, where the Pirates lost 17-12 in a British & Irish Cup tie back in 2013, is at 2.30pm.

Whilst the Welsh club is very much looking forward to playing the Pirates near the start of what is their 150^th season, and a warm welcome is also guaranteed to travelling supporters, the on-field action will undoubtedly be a test against a home outfit who for their forthcoming league campaign will be looking forward to competing in the new 10-team Super Rygbi Cymru competition. The Quins also showed up well at home against URC side Ospreys last Saturday, before losing 26-14.

Having picked up just a few knocks last time out at Exeter Chiefs, the Pirates travel not quite at full strength. Skipper John Stevens is one rested for Saturday, so backrower Hugh Bokenham will captain the side.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle has said:

“We have a bit of history with Carmarthen Quins, having played against them in the past in the British & Irish Cup, and we are particularly privileged to be playing them again as they are about to celebrate their 150^th season.

“The contest should provide a good test for us, plus the game will give an opportunity to get used to such as the travelling routine, especially for the new faces in the group.”

Gavin added:

“It is expected that the Carmarthen side will be comparable in terms of them playing in their second tier and, as we look to put another stepping stone in place ahead of our league start, this fixture also gives us an opportunity to build on the recent performance against Exeter Chiefs, following which there were areas of that game where we have focused on during the week.“

The Cornish Pirates full selection for Saturday is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:   15 Iwan Price-Thomas 14 Robin Wedlake 13 Matt McNab 12 Harry Yates 11 Arthur Relton 10 Bruce Houston 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Billy Young 2 Morgan Nelson 3 James French 4 Matt Cannon 5 Charlie Rice 6 Josh King 7 Will Gibson 8 Hugh Bokenham (captain).

Replacements:   Harry Hocking, Sol Moody, Oisin Michel, Jay Tyack, Ollie Andrews, Barnaby Elderkin (guest player), Alex Everett, Will Rigelsford (guest player), Iwan Jenkins, Joe Elderkin, Charlie McCaig, Will Trewin