In Round 19 of the Championship, the Cornish Pirates will welcome Hartpury to the Mennaye Field on Saturday for a 5^th versus 3^rd contest which kicks off at 2.30pm.

It will be the fourth meeting between the two sides this season, the Cornish Pirates having won 43-7 at home in the Premiership Cup in February, but having lost 41-26 away in the Cup back in November and 34-10 in the league in January.

This week’s starting XV sees fit again Joe Elderkin named in the centre and Robin Wedlake selected on the wing. Hooker Matt Pritchard will make his first start in Pirates’ colours, and in the back row Matt Cannon will wear the ‘6’ shirt in place of Josh King who will this week partner Charlie Rice in the second row. On the bench prop Jenson Boughton is on loan from Plymouth Albion.

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

“There is much to respect about Hartpury who are enjoying a very good season.

“We suffered a hefty 34-10 defeat against them in the away league match back in January, so we’ll be inevitably keen to avenge that particular defeat. Saying that, it won’t be easy, as they have one of the strongest packs in the league in terms of age and experience, and their group overall have played consistently well.

“For us, it is a bonus that we are playing at home, whilst we ourselves have also been in good form. Supporters should be for a rugby treat.”

The Cornish Pirates selection for Saturday is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:   15 Will Trewin 14 Robin Wedlake 13 Chester Ribbons 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Matt McNab 10 Bruce Houston 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Billy Young 2 Matt Pritchard 3 James French 4 Josh King 5 Charlie Rice 6 Matt Cannon 7 Jack Forsythe 8 Alex Everett (captain).

Replacements:   16 Harry Hocking 17 Jenson Boughton 18 Ben Woodmansey `19 Matt Cannon 19 Fintan Coleman 20 Tomiwa Agbongbon 21 Dan Hiscocks 22 Iwan Jenkins 23 Harry Yates.

Referee:   Ben Simpson

Assistants:   Iain Kiy & Kevin Williams

Match Day Collection:   The Veterans Charity

(Besides the live Championship rugby action rugby, ‘Festival Season’ comes to the Mennaye Field on Saturday with live music and family fun! There will be DJ sets pre-game from Flo Tippetts-Hill, and post-match Singalongs with Cadgwith Singers and Will Keating. Added to this the Callestick Farm ice cream trike is back, as is a Bouncy castle and face painting, plus games and giveaways with Tribute & Thatchers. In a week when VE Day is to be commemorated, during the afternoon the Pirates will also be recognising the importance of such an event.)