Playing Ealing Trailfinders away on Saturday in a 1^st versus 2^nd in the Championship clash, the Cornish Pirates expect to face a massive challenge.

This game at the Trailfinders Sports Ground (ko 3pm) is a re-scheduled Round 7 affair, remembering that the original fixture in mid-December was abandoned, a decision made midway through the second half after Cornish Pirates’ replacement Ben Grubb was injured.

Changes in the Cornish Pirates line up from the team that won 27-21 at Bedford Blues last weekend sees prop Jacob Morris selected at loose-head prop in place of the unavailable Lefty Zigiriadis, Ruaridh Dawson named in the ‘9’ shirt to partner Tom Pittman, plus there is a return for skipper John Stevens in the back row.

Bruce Houston is pleasingly declared fit again to take a place on the bench, as is stalwart prop Jack Andrew who will be looking to make his 230^th appearance for the club.

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

“Playing Ealing Trailfinders away is a massive challenge, as they are a very good team, and especially so when playing on their fast 4G surface.

“Like Coventry and Bedford Blues these past two weeks, I think their speed of ball play offers a big threat, so we’ll have to put a big defensive effort once more.

“We will also need to improve and be better in attack and handle the pressure moments in the game if we are to achieve the aimed for result.

“Ultimately, as ever, we can only give it our best shot, as we always strive to do.”

The Cornish Pirates full selection for Saturday is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:   15 Will Trewin 14 Robin Wedlake 13 Joe Jenkins 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Matt McNab 10 Tom Pittman 9 Ruaridh Dawson; 1 Jacob Morris 2 Morgan Nelson 3 Fin Richardson 4 Will Britton 5 Steele Barker 6 Alex Everett 7 Johnn Stevens (captain) 8 Hugh Bokenham.

Replacements:   16 Rhys Williams 17 Jack Andrew 18 Matt Johnson 19 Josh King, 20 Wil Gibson 21Alex Schwarz 22 Bruce Houston 23 Frankie Nowell