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Kick Off
It is Round 10 in the RFU Championship this weekend, with a fascinating ‘not to be missed’ 3rd v 4th contest scheduled between the Cornish Pirates and Doncaster Knights at the Mennaye Field on Sunday (ko 2.30pm).
Only two teams have won against league leaders Ealing Trailfinders this season – the Pirates when winning 15-12 at home in October, and now the Knights who emerged 22-5 victors at their Castle Park ground last Saturday. Former Pirates involved in the match for the Yorkshire side were wing Maliq Holden, who was an early try-scorer, and replacement Harry Davey.
The Pirates make three changes in their starting line-up from the XV that ran out at Jersey. Fit again full-back AJ Cant returns for what will be his 50th appearance for the Pirates, Shae Tucker slots in at inside centre, and tight-head prop Sam Rodman makes his first Championship start of the season. One name to highlight among the replacements is that of club captain Nicolas De Battista who, having been injured last season, will be keen to get a call off the bench.
Ahead of Sunday’s contest, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Paver has commented:
“Doncaster Knights are well coached, and they have a team that demands respect, as their huge victory last weekend against Ealing Trailfinders confirms. The top four or five teams can beat anyone on their day and that result leaves the league wide open.
“Without dwelling too much on our defeat in Jersey, the conditions were bad, and in a closely fought game they deserved their win.
“Now looking forward to Sunday, a big performance at the Mennaye is a must, as the right result will help us stabilise in the top area of the league. The outcome is going to be critical to our season, and it is something we have talked about and cannot hide away from.
“As ever, the support of a home crowd can’t be underestimated, so again I say this is the Mennaye and we are the Pirates but remembering that the Pirates also includes our supporters, and everyone involved at the club who can hopefully help us lift the performance to the level needed.”
Match Officials:
Referee: Adam Leal
Assistants: Ian Bibey & Darryl Chapman
Official 4: James Milliner-Woodcock
Performance Reviewer: Steve Leyshon
Match Day Sponsor: David Meggs Match Ball Sponsor: DA Giles
Match Day Collection: By Bolingey Barbarians
Tickets: Tickets will be available at the gates on the day (open 12.30pm), whilst in the meantime they can also be purchased on-line. For further information please visit: www.cornish-pirates.com/tickets
Covid Awareness: With reference to this important subject, please note ‘Supporter Information for Doncaster’ under News at: www.cornish-pirates.com
Referee:
Adam Leal
AR1:
Ian Bibey
AR2:
Darryl Chapman
No:4:
James Milliner-Woodcock
15
AJ Cant
14
Robin Wedlake
13
Rory Parata
12
Shae Tucker
11
Tommy Wyatt
10
Arwel Robson
9
Tom Kessell
1
Jack Andrew
2
Tom Channon
3
Sam Rodman
4
Josh Caulfield
5
Danny Cutmore
6
Matt Bolwell
7
Antonio Kiri Kiri
8
Tom Duncan (C)
16
Syd Blackmore
17
Marlen Walker
18
Alfie Petch
19
Lewis Pearson
20
Caleb Montgomery
21
Ruaridh Dawson
22
Harry Bazalgette
23
Nico De Battista