For their final Pool 5 game in this season’s British & Irish Cup, the Cornish Pirates will welcome Hartpury RFC to the Mennaye Field on Saturday (ko 2pm).
The Pirates have already played new faces Hartpury RFC twice this season, winning 35-19 away in the Cup last October and then, in November, winning again, 25-13, at home in the Championship.

If the Pirates, who dropped to second place in their Pool following defeat away to Ulster A last Friday, can win with a bonus point on Saturday then its odds on that they will progress to the quarter-finals stage. Hartpury, however, will inevitably present a challenge.

Chris Morgan skippers a Pirates team that sees a welcome return from injury for back-rower Dan Lee, whilst replacement prop Paul Andrew, who has yet to appear this season, will be another keen for action. Also named on the bench is player/co-coach Alan Paver, who ahead of the game has commented:

We have obviously got ourselves in a little bit of a rut just at the moment, and after last week’s defeat have had to pick the boys up, so for this week it’s a case of keeping the wheels moving and being as ready as we can be. Conditions will obviously dictate the nature of the game, as the Mennaye has been a little like a wet sponge, however there was no rugby played there last week and we haven’t touched it for training. It’ll no doubt be a good old arm wrestle.

Overall, despite missing the dual dual-registered players, we are looking pretty good with guys coming back such as Dan Lee and Paul Andrew. As for Hartpury, whatever side they pick we know they will pose a challenge and will be wanting to perform well.

Alan added:

The Cup competition has provided us with many good experiences, as has been the case this season, and although whatever happens is in the lap of the gods, we would love to progress to the quarter-finals.

British & Irish Cup ‘Pool’ games at the Mennaye Field are ‘All Pay’. However, tickets are cheaper than for league games, For further information please visit www.cornish-pirates.com/tickets

This match is also billed as ‘Tribute Day’ at the Mennaye, and adding incentive for supporters to arrive early – the gates will be open from midday – £1 Tribute vouchers plus Tribute beanie hats will be available on a first come first served basis.