Pirates Aim to Apply Pressure at The Top

This Saturday will see the Cornish Pirates welcome Bedford Blues to the Mennaye Field for a Round 8 game in this season’s RFU Championship. Kick-off for the 2^nd versus 5^th clash in the league is at the earlier time of 12.30pm.

The reason for the earlier kick-off is because England face reigning world champions South Africa at 3.15pm which, thanks to Lee Miles of Roseworthy Farms, will be shown live on a big screen in the ITEC sponsored marquee.

Players returning to the starting line-up this weekend, who did not feature away to London Scottish last time out, are full-back Carwyn Penny, scrum-half Tom Kessell, lock Josh Caulfield, plus skipper and flanker John Stevens. On the bench, lock Ed Scragg will be keen to make his first Championship appearance for the Pirates, whilst if given the call it would proudly be scrum half Alex Schwarz’s 50^th appearance for the Pirates.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Paver has commented:

“We have a great deal of respect for Bedford Blues, who always have much to offer this league. Their Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer, is a good man and they definitely play his brand of rugby, as they look to perform with a high tempo, break field space up and use the dangerous athletes they have in their side.

“That said, we will play our style and feel confident that if we can get the emotion right and bring accuracy into our game then we stand a chance to put ourselves on the right side of the score.

“For us it is important though that if we do get ourselves into a position to push on for the five points, then we must take it, as our aim is to put as much pressure on the top of this league as we can.” 

Referee:   Dan Jones

Assistants:   Nick Marshall & James Clarke

Official 4:   Kevin Williams

Match Day Sponsor:   Kernow Model Rail Centre

Match Ball Sponsor:   Atlantic Capital Markets

Match Day Collection:   The National Coastwatch Institution

Tickets:   Tickets will be available at the gates on the day (open 10.30am), whilst in the meantime they can also be purchased on-line. For further information please visit: www.cornish-pirates.com/tickets