Pirates team to Face the Navy                                     

When the Cornish Pirates face the Royal Navy at the Mennaye Field on Friday evening (ko 7.30pm), the prestigious opening pre-season fixture will also see a first welcome back to supporters since a 21-15 league win was recorded against Nottingham on the 1^st March 2020. All, quite understandably, will be mightily keen to watch their team perform ‘live’.

Various representative service teams have visited the Mennaye Field over the years, including the Army, however the one to be made by the actual Royal Navy senior side will be a first. Cornishman Dave Pascoe, a former Penryn, Pirates and Cornwall player is their head coach.

The Pirates, to be proudly led by flanker John Stevens in the absence of club captain Nicolas De Battista, have for this fixture selected a majority of the squad to participate in the match, including various new faces and with an eye to see different combinations. Named at No. 8 is guest player Caleb Montgomery, whilst Steele Barker is young Cornish lock who has been training with the Pirates but is registered with Redruth.

Speaking with reference to the fixture, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“Playing the Royal Navy is a really worthy fixture. They play good rugby and have a fine tradition behind them. Also, understandably, our lads are raring to now get going for what promises to be a hard fought but also very entertaining game.”

Referee:   Sara Cox RFU

Assistants:   Kevin Williams & James Milliner-Woodcock