Pirates Need to Travel in The Right Frame of Mind

Next up for the Cornish Pirates is an RFU Championship league encounter away to Hartpury University RFC on Saturday (ko 2.30pm).

Although the Hartpury side lost 54-20 in their league opener away to Ealing Trailfinders, the result was one of no surprise against the Championship favourites. Also, next playing at home this weekend, they will no doubt be extra keen to upset the visiting Pirates who will likely see former scrum half Jean-Baptist Bruzulier in action as co-captain of the Gloucestershire side.

Clearly the Cornish Pirates will take nothing for granted, even considering that they have emerged victorious from the previous 10 meetings between the sides.

Changes in the starting XV from the one that ran out in last week’s league opener includes a return to the starting line-up for Rory Parata at outside centre. Replacing the injured Shae Tucker, he will partner Tommy Wyatt who will this week wear the number 12 shirt. John Stevens is another returnee who, replacing open-side flanker Will Gibson, is also named to lead the side.

As for the bench, hooker James Benjamin will be primed and ready to make his debut, whilst after each appearing in a pre-season friendly lock Lewis Pearson and back-rower Caleb Montgomery will be keen make their first Championship appearances in a Pirates shirt.

Speaking ahead of the game, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Pave has commented:

“Going up to Hartpury is tough, full stop, as achieving any away win is never as easy thing to do.

“Our approach to the game is important because they are well coached and have good players, and therefore we will need to have ticked all the boxes and be in the right frame of mind to get on the right side of the score.”

For supporter awareness there is no live streaming of this match, however there will be the usual coverage kindly provided by BBC Radio Cornwall.