For their Round 25 fixture in Elior Champ Rugby, which is their final home league match in the campaign, the Cornish Pirates will welcome Coventry to what will be a busy and atmospheric Mennaye Field on Saturday (ko 2.30pm).

The visiting West Midlands side, who are enjoying a fine season and are presently third in the table, were 41-26 winners at home against the now seventh-placed Cornish Pirates on New Year’s Day, so an intriguing contest is expected.

Both teams have incentive to achieve a victory, including for the Cornish Pirates that they simply must win in their quest to ultimately get back into the top six in an endeavour to compete in the play-offs. Their final league game is away to Hartpury on Saturday week. As for Coventry, they are keen to acquire results to gain a home semi-final spot, whilst of extra interest they have not won away against the Pirates since emerging 27-13 victors way back in August 1998.

Team changes for the Cornish Pirates this week sees returns to the side for wing Harry Yates, lock Matt Cannon, and number 8 Tomi Agbongbon, who will be making his 50^th appearance for the club. Recovered from injury, scrum half Dan Hiscocks is named in the ‘9’ shirt and fit again lock Charlie ‘Buster’ Rice is included on the bench, as is experienced prop Ehren Painter who is on loan from Exeter Chiefs.

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

“Nice to have had a week off and to refresh after a very physical game on a very firm surface away to Ealing Trailfinders, looking forward now    to this weekend we know what the task is ahead and we simply must win to stay in the fight.

“It’s very much like a Cup game for us, and it will be a big ask, because Coventry are a form team who recruited well and have a strong backline. They have also got a home semi to play for, because they are still in touch for that second spot.

“Yes, we lost 41-26 away at their recently renamed ‘Nick Newbold Stadium’ on New Year’s Day. However, I do though think we are in a better place now than we were back then, and Saturday should be a great contest for supporters to get behind us and enjoy.”

The Cornish Pirates full selection for Saturday is as follows:

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

Replacements:   16 Sol Moody 17 Ollie Andrews 18 Ehren Painter 19 Charlie Rice 20 John Stevens 21 Will Becconsall 22 Angus Mawson 23 Matty Ward.

Referee:   Dan Jones.

Assistants:   Andy Wigley & Mike Woods.

Official 4:   Kevin Williams.

Match Day Sponsor:   Tricorn Consulting Ltd.

Match Ball Sponsor:   Yeomans.

Match Day Collection:   Macmillan Cancer Support.