Stern Test Expected by The Pirates

The Cornish Pirates are next in action on Friday evening away to early league leaders Jersey Reds. Kick-off at the Stade Santander International ground is at 7.15pm.

For the Pirates a likely stern test is expected, noting that the islanders in their three matches to date have won 36-21 at Ampthill, 40-14 at home to Coventry, and then 55-21 away to London Scottish on Saturday.

Having notched a 20-6 points victory away to Jersey on their first ever visit back in September 2012, the only other such league win for the Cornish Pirates was in January 2020, when they came away with 23-10 victory. On their last two visits in the past couple of seasons they narrowly lost 32-31 and 15-5.

The Cornish Pirates, without the availability this weekend of players dual registered with Exeter Chiefs, have made four changes in their starting XV from the one that ran out against Bedford Blues at the Mennaye Field last Saturday. At full-back AJ Cant is due to make his first league start of the season, Ruaridh Dawson is selected at scrum-half, James Fender returns to partner Will Britton in the second row, and there is a prompt return from injury for number 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor. Named on the bench are lock Josh Williams and centre Garyn Smith, who will be eager to make their first league appearances for the club.

Speaking ahead of Friday evening’s contest, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Paver has commented:

“We know that going away to Jersey is always a difficult ask – not impossible, but tough.

“There are certain geographical disadvantages in the way you at times have to travel, but we are used to it, and it can apply also to opposition teams visiting us.”

Alan added:

“We understand how the overall process works and after the disappointment of losing in the key moments of the game against Bedford on Saturday, we are pretty excited to get back into the swing of it and get to Jersey to hopefully put our best foot forward.”