With no league game this coming Saturday, the Cornish Pirates will instead be welcoming the might of Prem participants Harlequins to Penzance on Saturday, for what will be the London side’s first visit to the Mennaye Field since February 1952. ‘Quins’ are on a 4-day training camp in Cornwall, which will incorporate the inaugural fixture for the two teams competing for ‘The Tribute Cup’. Kick-off on Saturday is at 2.30pm.

To be skippered by Alex Everett, the Cornish Pirates have selected a slightly larger squad of players. Fit again after a long lay-off because injury, John Stevens is selected on a bench that also includes scrum half Will Becconsall, who has made five appearances for the Pirates linked with Exeter Chiefs in the past. Two young replacements, each especially keen to see action, will be backs Noah Clifford from Redruth and Finn Love from Camborne.

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

“The fixture will provide a great opportunity for us to get quality game time for the lads, and it will be a great occasion for the club to have such a calibre of team visiting the Mennaye.

“Barring one or two players on international duty, Quins have selected a strong group, including several big names, so we’ll want our supporters to fill the ground, get behind our team, and create that special Cornish and Mennaye Field atmosphere.” 

The Cornish Pirates full selection for Saturday is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:   15 Angus Mawson 14 Matty Ward 13 Chester Ribbons 12 Harry Yates 11 Ben Cambriani 10 Arwel Robson 9 Will Rigelsford; 1 James French 2 Matt Pritchard 3 Alfie Petch 4 Milo Hallam 5 Matt Cannon 6 Alex Everett (captain) 7 Luke Ratcliff 8 Tomi Agbongbon.

Replacements:   16 Sol Moody 17 Ollie Andrews 18 Ben Woodmansey 19 Rory Suttor 20 John Stevens 21 Will Becconsall 22 Louie Sinclair 23 Noah Clifford 24 Finn Love 25 Sam Cahill 26 Arthur Relton 27 Dan Hiscocks 28 Gabe Mead

As for Harlequins, they have selected a very strong squad- Note the following:

The Harlequins squad at present is as listed below. Among several international capped players are Alex Dombrandt and Luke Northmore (England); Pedro Delgado, Guido Petti Pagadizabal, Boris Wenger and Rodrigo Isgro (Argentina); and Kieran Treadwell (Ireland).

Harlequins – Forwards:   Sam Bland, Ethan Clarke, Pedro Delgado, Alex Dombrandt and Luke Northmore (England), Will Evans, Jonny Green, Will Hobson, Simon Kerrod, Jack Musk, Guido Petti Pagadizábal, Kieran Treadwell, Boris Wenger.

Harlequins – Backs:                                                                                                           Cameron Anderson, Josh Bellamy, Jamie Benson, Bryn Bradley, Finlay Cunnison, Nick David, Jack Grant, Max Green, Rodrigo Isgró, Sean Kerr, Ludo Kolade, Jake Murray, Luke Northmore, Connor Slevin, Stu Townsend, Ben Waghorn.

Referee:   Andy Wigley

Assistants:   Jack Sutton & Kevin Williams

Official 4:   Paul Box

Match Day Sponsor:  One Atlantek

Match Ball Sponsor:   The Cornwall Skin Clinic

Match Day Collection:   The ‘Turn to Starboard’ charity

For further information please link to: www.cornish-pirates.com