With four league games remaining ahead of the play-offs to involve the top six in Elior Champ Rugby this season, in Round 23 the Cornish Pirates will welcome Chinnor to the Mennaye Field on Saturday for an important seventh versus fifth contest (ko 2.30pm).

There are several changes in the Cornish Pirates starting XV from the one that ran out at Goldington Road against Bedford Blues last weekend. At full-back there is a return to playing action for Iwan Price-Thomas, and with Harry Yates switching from midfield to wing it is Joe Elderkin who is this week named to partner Chester Ribbons in the centre. Scrum half Dan Hiscocks is injured, so Will Becconsall take his place for what will his first start in Pirates’ colours. As for the forwards, there is a start for hooker Morgan Nelson, whilst prop Billy Young and flanker Luke Ratcliff come into the side in place of presently injured duo James French and John Stevens.

A fresh face named on the bench is 24-year-old centre Harry Ascherl, who has played for Bristol Bears in the past and is on loan at present until the end of the season from Exeter Chiefs.

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

“After our last couple of results, we have left ourselves a bit of a mountain to climb, starting with Chinnor at the Mennaye on Saturday. Then we have Ealing away, Coventry at home, and finally it’ll be a trip to Hartpury.

“I reckon we need to win three of those final four to a stand chance, so going forward every fixture is a Cup game for us now.

“Chinnor have played very well at the level these past couple of years and remembering that they did a number on us up there earlier in the season it’ll be anything but easy. However, despite having our backs against the wall at present, it is a chance for us to redeem ourselves, and in front of a hopeful big crowd we’ll see how we respond.”

The Cornish Pirates full selection for Saturday is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:   15 Iwan Price-Thomas 14 Arthur Relton 13 Chester Ribbons 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Harry Yates 10 Arwel Robson 9 Will Becconsall; 1 Billy Young 2 Morgan Nelson 3 Alfie Petch 4 Milo Hallam 5 Matt Cannon 6 Alex Everett (captain) 7 Luke Ratcliff 8 Tomi Agbongbon.

Replacements:   16 Sol Moody 17 Ollie Andrews 18 Ben Woodmansey 19 Rory Suttor 20 Jack Forsythe 21 Will Rigelsford 22 Angus Mawson 23 Harry Ascherl.

Referee:   Harry Walbaum

Assistants:   Ben Wood & James Pidding

Official 4:   Kevin Williams

Match Day & Match Ball Sponsor:   The Logan Rock Inn

Match Day Collection:   Penzance & Newlyn Pilot Gig Club