The Cornish Pirates return home to The Mennaye Field this Friday, as Pre Season preparations continue against fellow Champ Rugby side Bedford Blues.

It was a solid first outing in Pre Season for the Pirates against Redruth, running in 10 tries for a comprehensive 7-64 victory. The Blues however present a very different challenge under the lights, having finished as Champ Rugby runners up last season, second only to Ealing Trailfinders.

The Pirates make two changes to the starting 15, with Matt Cannon replacing Charlie Rice at lock and Jack Forsythe returning from Exeter Chiefs at openside flanker. On the bench Sol Moody and Will Becconsall also return from the Premiership outfit.

Morgan Nelson celebrates 50 appearances for the Cornish Pirates having made his return from Gloucester Rugby in the summer. He will lead out the side on Friday evening.

Looking back on the Redruth game and ahead to Friday night, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Paver has said:

“These games are so important to get out there and get a run out, bedding in combinations and allowing the players to get a feel for the contact again is invaluable. This week is a different proposition against a Champ side and a very good one at that, who had a particularly good season last year. We’ll continue to go through the gears and aim towards that first Championship game against Hartpury in a few weeks time.”

The Cornish Pirates selection for Friday is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:   15 Iwan Price-Thomas, 14 Ben Cambriani, 13 Chester Ribbons, 12 Harry Yates, 11 Arthur Relton, 10 Arwel Robson, 9 Dan Hiscocks (captain); 1 Billy Young, 2 Morgan Nelson, 3 Alfie Petch, 4 Josh King, 5 Matt Cannon, 6 Barnaby Elderkin, 7 Jack Forsythe, 8 Tomiwa Agbongbon.

Replacements:   Sol Moody, Alessandro Heaney, Ollie Andrews, Milo Hallam, Will Rigelsford, Will Becconsall, Louie Sinclair, Joe Elderkin, Matty Ward

(Next up in Pre Season is Exeter Chiefs on Friday 12^th September at 7:30pm, with GWR laying on a 10:30pm last train from Penzance. Our opening Champ Rugby fixture is at home to Hartpury on Saturday 4^th October, kick off at 2.30pm.)