Reaching Round 22 of the Championship, for their final game of the season the Cornish Pirates will welcome Nottingham to the Mennaye Field on Saturday for a 4^th versus 7^th contest (ko 3pm).

The Pirates, who emerged 24-18 victors when playing the ‘Archers’ away at the beginning of September, are expecting a tough encounter, noting that their opponents staged a remarkable comeback, their biggest this century, to defeat Hartpury this past weekend in what was their final home game of the season. Trailing by 26 points after less than half an hour, they amazingly ran in seven unanswered tries to win 54-33.

Changes in the Pirates starting line up from the team that lost 35-15 away to Doncaster Knights last weekend sees Will Trewin return at full-back with Bruce Houston, who will be playing his 50^th and final appearance for the club, reverting to his more familiar fly-half position. Harry Yates is selected on the wing, Matt Pritchard at hooker, and Fintan Coleman slots into the backrow in place of the injured Matt Cannon.

Commenting ahead of Saturday’s final game of the season, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“Looking back this season has been quite some journey, having started a bit shaky and then building up a bit of form with several new faces.

“As a group now who have done well, I think it is important that we finish strongly at home at the end of what can be considered a successful season. However, we know that Nottingham can pose a threat. They have a dangerous back three and their comeback to beat Hartpury last week was outstanding, showing how strong they can be.”

The Cornish Pirates selection for Saturday is as follows:

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

Replacements:   16 Harry Hocking 17 Jenson Boughton 18 Darragh McSweeney `19 Milo Hallam 20 Tomiwa Agbongbon 21 Will Rigelsford 22 Iwan Jenkins 23 Robin Yates.

Referee:   Matt Sharpe

Assistants:   Jamie Parr & Kevin Williams

Official 4:   Paul Box

Assessors:   Steve Leyshon & Phil Watters

Match Day Sponsor:   ARW Scaffold Contracting Ltd

Match Ball Sponsor:   Microcomms

Match Day Collection:   MIND Cornwall

(Besides the live Championship rugby action, ‘Festival Season’ continues at the Mennaye Field on Saturday with live music and family fun! Also, at the end of the last home game, certain end of season awards will as usual be presented.)