Pirates Expect Hartpury to Pose A Challenge

Next up for the Cornish Pirates is a 3^rd versus 6^th contest in the RFU Championship at home to Hartpury on Saturday (ko 2.30pm). This fixture is the one that had to be postponed on Boxing Day because of Covid in the Hartpury camp.

Still in with a shout to end the league season in top spot, support for the Pirates can once again play a vital role to help the team in their quest, and to also gain revenge for a 37-18 defeat suffered away to the Gloucestershire side back in September.

Changes in the Cornish Pirates starting line-up from the one that ran out at Doncaster last weekend includes a first Championship start handed to lock Ed Scragg. Will Gibson is selected at ‘7’, Alex Schwarz at ‘9’ and Robin Wedlake at ‘14’, whilst a welcome face returning on the bench is that of fit again vice-captain John Stevens. Also, reference this game, a proud milestone is to be reached by hooker Tom Channon, who will be making his 150^th appearance for the club. Since first signing for the club back in 2013, he has been an outstanding contributor both on and off the field.

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

“Hartpury, as we know, have a very good side this season and pose a difficult challenge. They comfortably beat us at home last September, so that is something we’d naturally like to rebalance.

“With three games to go in the league the outcome is still in our hands and starting with Saturday it is our home crowd that can have a massive influence. The boys need that support and I think they deserve it.”

Match Day Collection:   This week’s match day collection will be in support of of South Coast Pirates which is the remotest team in Kenya. It is a club partly funded by Dicky Evans, who is keen for the collection to take place to enable the South Coast Pirates play in the Kenya National Sevens circuit. As we know the Evans family and Hemingways give so much, and such a collection just helps to share that load around.

Tickets:   Tickets for Saturday’s fixture will be available at the gates on the day (open 12.30pm), whilst in the meantime they can also be purchased on-line. For further information please visit: www.cornish-pirates.com/tickets