Following their outstanding 46-14 points home win against previous leagues leaders Coventry last Saturday, the Cornish Pirates are again in action at the Mennaye Field this weekend when, on Sunday, Doncaster Knights will visit for a sixth versus seventh contest in Round 9 of the Championship. What with it being Christmas, and the team’s last home game in 2024, a big crowd is expected. It promises to be a cracker!

Changes in the Cornish Pirates starting line-up from the one that ran out against Coventry last weekend includes a fit again Harry Yates named to partner Charlie McCaig in the centre. As for the forwards, Alfie Petch, who made 23 appearances for the Cornish Pirates when dual registered with Exeter Chiefs in 2021-22, is selected at tight-head prop. About to celebrate his 25^th birthday this weekend, he has arrived back at the Mennaye Field on a short-term loan from Gloucester. The one other starting change sees Matt Cannon selected alongside Lewis Pearson in the second row, whilst listed among the replacements is prop Craig Williams who, to provide extra injury cover at present, is on loan from Redruth. A highly respected and experienced performer, aged 38, he has also played for Cornwall and, in the past, for England Counties.

For Cornish Pirates’ flanker Will Gibson, it will be his last home game before soon departing for Australia, so just ahead of making his 79^th appearance he will lead the team out for supporters to acknowledge his contribution and performances made in the team’s colours

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s match, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Paver has commented:

“Doncaster have a quality squad, with some outstanding individuals. To date they probably haven’t fired as much as they would have hoped, so for us that clearly makes them dangerous opponents.

“We are at home and are obviously playing some decent rugby at present, but there is no danger of us being carried away because it is undoubtedly going to be a very tough encounter.”

Cornish Pirates:   15 Will Trewin 14 Arthur Relton 13 Charlie McCaig 12 Harry Yates 11 Matt McNab 10 Bruce Houston 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Billy Young 2 Harry Hocking 3 Alfie Petch 4 Matt Cannon 5 Lewis Pearson 6 Martin Moloney 7 Will Gibson 8 Hugh Bokenham (captain).

Replacements:   16 Sol Moody 17 Oisin Michel 18 Craig Williams 19 Josh King 20 Tomi Agbongbon 21 Cam Jones 22 Iwan Jenkins 23 Iwan Price-Thomas.

Referee:   Richard Gordon

Assistants:   Veryan Boscawen & Kevin Williams

Official 4:   Paul Box

Match Day Sponsor:   Yeomans

Match Ball Sponsor:   Kernow Model Rail Centre

Match Day Collection:   Cornwall Air Ambulance