Having got off to an impressive start, when winning their 2026/27 Elior Champ Rugby opener 45-19 at home to Doncaster Knights, in Round 2 the Cornish Pirates suffered a disappointing 73-40 defeat away to Coventry last weekend. It was a result not helped because of injuries to certain players.

As for this Saturday it is a chance to bounce back, though it will be anything but easy at home against the strong Ealing Trailfinders side. The kick-off is at 3pm. Of general interest, the Pirates last victory against the Trailfinders was five years ago to the day, when at the Mennaye Field on the 3^rd October 2021, they won 15-12.

Selection for the Pirates this weekend will see 20-year-old Nick Lilley partner Harry Ascherl in the centre. The Plymouth-born player who is dual registered with Exeter Chiefs has represented England under 20s,

and made his first team debut for the Devon side in May 2025. Featuring against Northampton Saints at Sandy Park, he became the Chiefs’ youngest ever professional try-scorer.

Tomi Agbongbon is not available for selection this week, so Hugh Bokenham slips back to the No. 8 position, whilst Matt Cannon, who last week came off the bench to make his 50^th appearance for the club, will pack down alongside Milo Hallam in the second row.

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

“Last weekend we were tired from the short turn around, plus we had quite a lot of disruption in the build up to the game and on the day itself. That said, every team have to deal with such things, and there is no choice but to get on with it.

“Yes, we have reflected, there were lots of other things in the game that we can learn from, and it’s a case now of being ready on Saturday to get right back on the horse. We are at home, the crowd will be behind us, and we have done it before. Of course it won’t be easy, but if we stay on task then there is no reason why we can’t do it again.”

The Cornish Pirates full selection for Saturday is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:   15 Henry Palmer 14 Arthur Relton 13 Nick Lilley 12 Harry Ascherl 11 Josh Radcliffe 10 Arwel Robson 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Alessandro Heaney 2 Morgan Nelson 3 Alfie Petch 4 Milo Hallam 5 Matt Cannon 6 Alex Everett (captain) 7 Jack Forsythe 8 Hugh Bokenham.

Replacements:   16 Matt Pritchard 17 Jamie Clark 18 Osman Dimen 19 Josh King 20 Luke Ratcliff 21 Barnaby Elderkin 22 Will Becconsall 23 Finn Love.

Referee:   George Selwood

Assistants:   Emmerson Wood & Kevin Williams

Official 4:   Paul Box

Match Day Sponsor:   Brooks Financial Planning

Match Ball Sponsor:   Truro & Penwith College

For further information, including for all things Cornish Pirates, please link to www.cornish-pirates.com