For the Cornish Pirates it is a Friday night under lights encounter this weekend away to Nottingham (ko 7.45pm).

Enjoying a good start this season in ‘The Champ’, the Archers are presently third, whilst following their bonus point 34-27 win at home to Caldy last Saturday the Pirates have moved up to sixth place.

There are several changes in the Cornish Pirates starting line-up this weekend, including in the backs for fit again wing Arthur Relton. Other changes are in the forwards where there are returns for prop Billy Young, who was a replacement last week, and back to fitness hooker Morgan Nelson. Luke Ratcliff is named to make his first starting appearance at openside flanker, and Josh King is selected at blindside wing forward, with his place in last week’s engine room to be taken by Charlie Rice. For the latter, who has been unavailable because of injury, the game will mark his first league outing of the campaign. Finally, having arrived at the Mennaye Field this week dual registered from Exeter Chiefs, included on the bench is 21-year-old Welsh scrum half Orson James.

Speaking ahead of Friday night’s encounter, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Paver has said:

“Firstly, looking back to last week we needed the win against Caldy, and especially at home, with thanks also to our support on the day.

“From a playing perspective our intent was real, as was the want and drive, but some of the core skills broke down and certain of the tactics we put in place weren’t there, so they are things we will hope to improve on this weekend.

“Naturally, as coaches we always want more, plus we are aware too that Nottingham have a good coaching group. They have deservedly started the season well, following these past couple of years when have had time to start to understand what their game is, and to bed their group in. They are a formidable side now, especially at home, but having said that I do feel we are quite evenly matched, and the outcome will likely once again come down to those crucial moments in the game.”

The Cornish Pirates full selection is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:   15 Iwan Price-Thomas 14 Arthur Relton 13 Chester Ribbons 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Matty Ward 10 Arwel Robson 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Billy Young 2 Morgan Nelson 3 Alfie Petch 4 Charlie Rice 5 Alfie Bell 6 Josh King 7 Luke Ratcliff 8 Tomi Agbongbon.

Replacements:   16 Matt Pritchard 17 Alessandro Heaney 18 James French 19 Milo Hallam 20 Barnaby Elderkin 21 Orson James 22 Louie Sinclair 23 Harry Yates.

Referee:   Andy Wigley

Assistants:   Kieron Henry & John Meredith