Looking forward to home action for their final game in Pool E of the Premiership Cup, the Cornish Pirates will welcome Hartpury to the Mennaye Field on Saturday (ko 2.30pm).

The teams have already met twice this season, with both games played at Hartpury where the home side won 41-26 in the Cup last November and then 34-10 in the league back in January.

There is a raft of changes in the Cornish Pirates starting line-up from the one that ran out at Sandy Park last weekend. In the backs Iwan Price-Thomas is selected at full-back in place of Bruce Houston, who returns to his more familiar place at fly-half, where he will have Cam Jones as his starting halfback partner. Also, with Matt McNab pleasingly recovered from injury, he is named in the centre with Charlie McCaig, who last week featured for Exeter Chiefs.

Changes in the pack sees Sol Moody selected at hooker, with Harry Hocking to this weekend start at number 8. On the flank Chris Mills, after making three recent appearances off the bench, will be looking forward to his first start. Also included among the replacements are certain squad players who will be keen for game time, plus hooker Sam Cantwell, aged 23, and 20-year-old fly-half/full-back Louie Sinclair, who have arrived at the Mennaye Field on loan. Aussie Sinclair has played for Sydney University and more recently Royal Wootton Bassett, whilst Finborough-born Sinclair arrives from Exeter Chiefs.

Cornish Pirates:   15 Iwan Price-Thomas 14 Arthur Relton 13 Matt McNab 12 Charlie McCaig 11 Will Trewin 10 Bruce Houston 9 Cam Jones; 1 Oisin Michel 2 Sol Moody 3 James French 4 Alfie Bell 5 Josh King (captain) 6 Matt Cannon 7 Chris Mills 8 Harry Hocking.

Replacements:   16 Sam Cantwell 17 Billy Young 18 Ollie Andrews 19 Barnaby Elderkin 20 Milo Hallam 21 Will Rigelsford 22 Dan Hiscocks 22 Louie Sinclair.

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

“Firstly, looking back to Sunday it is always great value for us going to Sandy Park. We did come away with some bumps and bruises, but I do feel that the occasion was worth it, and we showed a tremendous spirit.

“Now for this weekend we will be welcoming a strong Hartpury side to the Mennaye Field who have deservedly done well. They have a settled group and a good spine in their team and have been playing some admirable rugby. From what we have experienced they will be very difficult to beat but we are at home and with the boys motivated they aim to be in contention.”

Alan added:

“Following this weekend, we will have a break that in one respect has come at the right time for us, but in overall terms it is not ideal generally because the club needs pennies through the gate. However, if we can get a lot of the lads back in good health, and with dual registered players returning, then with 10 league games remaining it gives us a chance to push for a strong finish.”

Referee:   Sara Cox

Assistants:   Jonathan Healy & Kevin Williams

Official 4:   Scott Baker

Match Day Sponsor:   Premier Contractors Ltd

Match Ball Sponsor:   Nevada Construction