After four rounds played in is season’s Greene King IPA Championship, Yorkshire Carnegie have acquired 11 league points and are sixth-placed, their last result a 29-all draw away to Hartpury RFC. As for the Pirates, they are presently eighth in the league, with nine points to their name.

Achieving success against their Yorkshire opponents has not been easy for the Pirates over the years, however it will be remembered that they won well, 42-27, on their last visit to Headingley Carnegie back in February.

Touching on the game against the Titans, and now looking forward to this weekend’s ‘Yorkshire’ challenge, coach Alan Paver said:

Firstly, despite victory, conceding the points we did against the Titans was frustrating, both for Gavin and I as coaches and for the team. The good news, however, is that was nothing to do with our accustomed physicality or work rate, but about identified technical issues.

Getting the win was really important for us psychologically, especially after giving so much and going close in our opening three matches, and we are now looking forward to this Sunday’s game.

It’s going to be a tough old arm wrestle against a talented and well coached group of players, so we have to continue playing with the same vigour and enthusiasm, and apply ourselves to put them under pressure.