Pirates Expect An Entertaining Contest

And Skipper Stevens is Set for His 100^th Appearance

When they welcome Bedford Blues to the Mennaye Field on Saturday (ko 2.30pm), the Cornish Pirates envisage the usual entertaining contest.

Games between the two sides are invariably exciting and high-scoring, and with the weather holding fair much of the same is expected this weekend.

Having lost 26-18 away to Coventry in their Championship opener, in front of a bumper crowd at Goldington Road last Saturday the Blues won 49-36 against London Scottish. Former ‘Pirate’ Alex Day skippered their team at scrum half and featuring after four seasons playing for Wasps was centre Michael Le Bourgeois, who has returned to the club in a player/coach role.

For Cornish Pirates’ captain John Stevens the game will mark his 100^th appearance for the club. Perhaps not one to normally show emotion, it will inevitably be a proud moment for the eldest son of the late and legendary Brian ‘Stack’ Stevens.

There are two changes in the Cornish Pirates starting line-up from the one that ran out at Nottingham last weekend, with Alex Schwarz named at scrum half and Rusiate Tuima selected at number 8 in place of the injured Seb Nagle-Taylor. Among fresh bodies on the bench, Tommy Wyatt will be keen to make his first appearance for the Pirates this season.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s fixture, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle has commented:

“We fully expect Saturday’s contest to be the usual entertaining Championship match against always respected opponents. Bedford are well coached, and their DNA runs prominently season to season.

“They have an exciting back three, plus have the midfield benefit of Michael Le Bourgeois who, after four seasons in the Premiership with Wasps, returns to the club in a player-coach role.”

With reference to club captain John Stevens’ expected 100^th appearance for the Cornish Pirates, Gavin said:

“To reach the milestone has taken a little longer than for most because of injury etcetera, but that is the way he plays the game. John is abrasive, aggressive, and having been on an incredible journey now deserves the accolades coming his way. A Cornishman of few words, he leads by example and should be rightly proud of his achievement.”