Pirates & Bedford Lock Arms Once More

A next game for the Cornish Pirates is at home to Bedford Blues this Sunday (ko 2.30pm). Locking arms once more, matches between the Pirates and the Blues are invariably high-scoring and entertaining affairs – indeed, their last meeting at the end of April ended 40-all at the Mennaye Field.

Presently third in the Championship, games played in November have seen Bedford Blues record a 30-12 result at home to Nottingham, a 25-all draw away to Doncaster Knights, and then an impressive 33-7 win at home to Hartpury RFC.

For the Pirates, who are presently seventh in the league table, their selection includes a Championship start for wing Nicolas Coronel, whilst in the forwards there are returns for Tom Lawday and Josh Caulfield. A present shortage of fully fit hookers sees the arrival of former England under 18s player Dan Frost on loan from Taunton, with Danny Toolan again named among the replacements. Back from international duty with Canada, there is also a place on the bench for Brett Beukeboom.

Speaking ahead of this coming Sunday’s fixture, coach Alan Paver has said:

We have locked arms against Bedford many times over the years, and have witnessed some terrific contests. They are well coached and going superbly well at present with a sprinkling of talented and experienced players adding to their squad tremendously. Both teams are, I feel, evenly matched and not too dissimilar. They are an expansive side who like to play, plus they’ve got speed across the backline, but then so have we. As is often the case, I think it will come down to the small aspects of the game, the close encounters determining a win or loss.