This Friday evening, the 12^th September, will see the Cornish Pirates play Exeter Chiefs at home in a friendly, for what will be the club’s third and final pre-season fixture. A bumper crowd is inevitably expected, as usually befits such a Cornwall versus Devon affair!

For Cornish Pirates’ lock Josh King, the game will proudly mark his 50^th appearance for the club, whilst the side will be skippered by flanker Alex Everett who has returned from a short-term loan spell at Harlequins. Two guest players named on the bench are fly-half Rory O’Kane and full-back Marcus Kershaw.

Commenting ahead of Friday’s game, Cornish Pirates’ coach Joe Walsh has said:

“We are looking forward to a bumper crowd for what should be a worthy and enjoyable evening for all. The new guys will be able to soak up a heightened atmosphere at the Mennaye after they emerge from the tunnel, and excited to get the best possible team out there we can cast a last eye at the players in a match situation before we go into the first block of fixtures in Champ Rugby.”

Cornish Pirates:   15 Arthur Relton 14 Ben Cambriani 13 Chester Ribbons 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Matty Ward 10 Arwel Robson 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Billy Young 2 Morgan Nelson 3 Alfie Petch 4 Josh King 5 Charlie Rice 6 Matt Cannon 7 Alex Everett (captain) 8 Tomi Agbongbon.

Replacements:   16 Matt Pritchard 17 Alessandro Heaney 18 Ollie Andrews 19 Milo Hallam 20 Barney Elderkin 21 Will Rigelsford 22 Iwan Price-Thomas 23 Rory O’Kane 24 Marcus Kershaw.

Following Friday’s fixture, the opening league game for the Cornish Pirates in newly named ‘Champ Rugby’, is due to take place at home against Hartpury on Saturday 4^th October (ko 2.30pm). For further information about the club’s fixtures, and indeed reference all things Cornish Pirates, please link to www.cornish-pirates.com