Freshened Up Pirates to Take Nothing for Granted

Arriving at Round 7 in this season’s RFU Championship, the Cornish Pirates will this Saturday play London Scottish away (ko 3pm).

Almost incredibly, the Pirates have not won an away game versus London Scottish since September 2011, so they have every incentive to achieve a victory this weekend.

London Scottish presently lie at the foot of the RFU Championship league table, without a win and having suffered a 101-7 points defeat away at Ealing Trailfinders this past weekend. Clearly, the formbook would strongly indicate a victory for the second-placed Pirates, however nothing will be taken for granted.

The Pirates have made several changes to their starting XV from the one that ran out at the Mennaye Field against Coventry last Saturday. With full-back Carwyn Penny and wing Tommy Wyatt having picked up injuries, AJ Cant moves from wing to full-back, Callum Sirker returns to action in the 14 shirt, and a try-scoring replacement last Saturday, Alex O’Meara, slots in at 11 to complete the back three. One other change in the backs sees Alex Schwarz handed a starting role at scrum half.

As for the forwards, Tom Channon returns to the starting line-up at hooker, Cory Teague will partner Danny Cutmore in the second row, and Caleb Montgomery is selected at blindside flanker. For Cory and Caleb it will be their first Championship match starts for the Pirates. Finally, for this week Matt Bolwell moves from 6 to 7, and No. 8 Tom Duncan will not for the first time wear the captain’s armband.

Among the replacements, having been injured in a pre-season friendly, fit again hooker Syd Blackmore will be keen to make his first Championship appearance for the Pirates, whilst Marlen Walker and Sam Rodman are also welcomed back to fitness, the latter ready for his first league outing in this campaign. Antonio Kiri Kiri, who enjoyed game time back in New Zealand during the close season, is another who will be eagerly awaiting his call off the bench.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s encounter at the Richmond Athletic Ground, Cornish Pirates’ coach Louie Tonkin has commented:

“From recent results there is an expectation on us, and it is keeping a focus that must be maintained.

“We are as ever looking forward to the game and freshening up the squad this week with a little rotation some of the lads are naturally chomping at the bit to stake their claims. However, time has proven that London Scottish can be a difficult place to go, and in the knowledge that they have a strong set piece and we have struggled there in the past we certainly can’t take anything for granted.”

For supporter awareness, the game on Saturday will not be live-streamed, however the usual excellent match coverage will once again be provided by BBC Radio Cornwall.

For travelling supporters wanting tickets for the game, please note the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/london-scottish-v-cornish-pirates-tickets-169131756637?aff=ebdsoporgprofile