This Saturday should see a big Easter crowd at the Mennaye Field, when the Cornish Pirates will welcome Caldy for a scheduled Round 17 fixture in this season’s RFU Championship (ko 2.30pm).

Despite the men from the Wirral sitting one place off the bottom of the league table, knowing they can be tricky customers the fifth placed Pirates will take nothing for granted against the ‘Ravers’ (as Caldy are nicknamed).

The Cornish side’s selection shows just the one change in their backs from the set who started away at Chinnor last week, with Harry Yates named to partner Chester Ribbons in the centre. As for the forwards, James French is selected at tight-head prop and Michael Etete, who will be making his first league start, will form a second-row partnership with Alfie Bell. Also selected in the back row is 23-year-old former Worcester ‘Warrior’ Jack Forsythe, who has arrived at the Mennaye Field on loan from Exeter Chiefs.

Commenting ahead of Saturday’s encounter, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Paver has said:

“Firstly, looking back to last Saturday it was important we got the win at Chinnor and with a bonus point. It came at the right time for us in our endeavour to ultimately try and finish in the top third of the Championship, and we must continue that aim again on Saturday.

“Like all sides in the Championship, Caldy certainly can’t be taken lightly. However, we should hold a level of confidence in ourselves and hope to secure another win, and especially so at home.

“We also look forward to a big Easter Saturday crowd getting behind the team at the Mennaye Field, to help make it an enjoyable day for one and all.”

The Cornish Pirates full selection is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:   15 Arthur Relton 14 Robin Wedlake 13 Chester Ribbons 12 Harry Yates 11 Matt McNab 10Bruce Houston 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Billy Young 2 Harry Hocking 3 James French 4 Michael Etete 5 Alfie Bell 6 Matt Cannon 7 Jack Forsythe 8 Alex Everett (captain).

Replacements:   16 Dylan Irvine 17 Ollie Andrews 18 Ben Woodmansey 19 Charlie Rice 20 Milo Hallam 21 Will Becconsall 22 Iwan Jenkins 23 Joe Elderkin.

Referee:   Andy Wigley

Assistants:   Matt Sharpe & Kevin Williams

Official 4:   Paul Box

PR Coach:   Steve Leyshon

Match Day Sponsor:   Kernow Model Rail Centre

Match Ball Sponsor:   ARW Scaffold Contracting Ltd

(Besides the rugby, this Saturday is being billed as ‘Easter Family Fun Day’ by the Cornish Pirates. For more information keep up to date with the club’s social media posts.)