This Saturday will see the Cornish Pirates welcome Worcester Warriors to the Mennaye Field for an important fifth versus second contest in Elior Champ Rugby (ko 2.30pm).

A big crowd is expected, and supporters should be in for a treat between two sides who arrive at Round 21 of the competition having scored points aplenty last weekend. The Pirates won 66-13 away to Richmond, and the Warriors were 76-10 winners at home to Cambridge.

There are four changes in the Pirates’ starting line-up from the one that ran out at the Richmond Athletic Ground. In the backs Joe Elderkin will partner Chester Ribbons in the centre and Matty Ward is selected on the wing, whilst in the pack Sol Moody slots in at hooker and Josh King in the second row.

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

“We are in a good run of form and at this stage of the season have been a bit more like a Pirates’ team. Energy and application levels last Saturday were commendable and there has been some real progress, though having said that we are also aware there are some real challenges ahead.

“In the away game against Worcester, despite playing some good rugby we were well beaten, so Saturday should provide a good marker as to how far we have come since.

Gavin added:

“The Mennaye has seen many great games and players over the years, and ahead of this weekend we will all wish to congratulate prop Alfie Petch who is set to make his 50th appearance for the club. A real character and a proud Cornishman, who has really applied himself during his time here, a big crowd is expected to cheer him and the team on.”

The Cornish Pirates full selection for Saturday is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:   15 Angus Mawson 14 Arthur Relton 13 Chester Ribbons 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Matty Ward 10 Arwel Robson 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 James French 2 Sol Moody 3 Alfie Petch 4 Matt Cannon 5 Josh King 6 Alex Everett 7 Luke Ratcliff 8 Tomi Agbongbon.

Replacements:   16 Morgan Nelson 17 Billy Young 18 Ben Woodmansey 19 Rory Suttor 20 John Stevens 21 Will Becconsall 22 Louie Sinclair 23 Harry Yates.

Referee:   Jamie Parr

Assistants:   Mike Lamb & James Milliner-Woodcock

Official 4:   Kevin Williams

Match Day Sponsor:   AndyLoos

Match Ball Sponsor:   DA Giles

Match Day Collection:   MND Association Cornwall Branch