Pirates Expect A Very Well Organised Nottingham Side

The Cornish Pirates are next in action on Sunday, when the ‘Green & Whites’ from Nottingham Rugby will be visitors to the Mennaye Field (ko 2.30pm).

Coached by club legend Neil Fowkes, who devoted his entire playing career to Nottingham Rugby and is in his inaugural season as head coach, Sunday’s opponents are presently fourth in the Greene King IPA Championship table. They lost their opening two games against Bedford Blues (21-27) and London Irish (52-20) but have since won against London Scottish (29-19), Yorkshire Carnegie (17-36) and Doncaster Knights (20-15).

The Pirates are rightly expecting another tough challenge against potentially very difficult opponents, remembering that they lost twice to Nottingham Rugby last season, 34-31 at home and 18-17 away.

Robin Wedlake, who is the Greene King IPA Championship’s top try-scorer this season, has picked up a slight injury, so his place on the right wing is filled by Alex O’Meara. The one other change in the backs sees a return on the left flank for Canadian international Matt Evans.

There are two changes in the forwards from the side that played at Ealing last weekend. Number 8 Tom Duncan and hooker Tom Cowan-Dickie return from injury, the latter to make his first appearance of the season. Also, in the pack Josh Caulfield will be making his 50th appearance for the club.

Prop Jack Owlett, recently announced as dual-registered with Exeter Chiefs, is listed among the replacements, as is Dan Koster who is another player making a welcome return from injury.

Ahead of Sunday’s encounter, Cornish Pirates’ player/coach Chris Morgan has commented:

September was fantastic for us, and despite ending the month with a loss at Ealing Trailfinders we showed a lot of character to mount a comeback and secure two bonus points.

Now into October, we will naturally look to put right a few things that were highlighted last weekend, but at the same time realising that it will be anything easy against a Nottingham side who beat us twice last season and is very well organised.

Tickets for Sunday’s game will be available at the gates on the day whilst in advance they can also be purchased on-line. For further information please, as ever, visit www.cornish-pirates.com