Chiefs dual reg names confirmed

Having previously announced the names of 14 x players who had signed new one-year contracts for the forthcoming 2023-24 season, plus four who will be on loan for the season from Ealing Trailfinders, the Cornish Pirates can now officially add to the list a further 12 x players who will be dual registered with Exeter Chiefs.

Firstly, to update the initial 14 x contracted players, this comprises backs Ruaridh Dawson (scrum-half), Joe Elderkin (centre), Arwel Robson (fly-half), Alex Schwarz (scrum-half), and Will Trewin (full-back/wing), and forwards Jack Andrew (prop), Steele Barker (lock), Will Britton (lock), Alex Everett (back-row), Will Gibson (back-row), Morgan Nelson (hooker), John Stevens (back-row), Marlen Walker (prop), and Josh Williams (lock).

The 4 x players announced last Friday who will be on loan from the Trailfinders are Harry Dugmore (back-row), Tom Georgiou (centre/full-back), Eparama ‘Epi’ Rokodrava (wing), and Lefty Zigiriadis (prop).

As for the players linked from Exeter Chiefs, seven are familiar dual registered faces who have already represented the Cornish Pirates. They are Ben Grubb (back-row), Matt Johnson (prop), James Kenny (prop), Jacob Morris (prop), Max Norey (hooker/back-row), Arthur Relton (wing), and Cory Teague (lock). The remaining five are Harry Hocking (hooker), Iwan Jenkins (fly-half), Dan John (centre/wing), and Frankie Nowell (wing/full-back), Fin Richardson (prop).

Cornishman Hocking, aged 21, started playing rugby at St Ives, before moving onto feature for both Hayle and Penzance-Newlyn. Earmarked as a young player with potential he continued his rugby development at Truro College and became part of Exeter Chiefs’ senior academy in 2020.

Cardiff-born Jenkins first played at Pontyclun RFC where he quickly made a name for himself as a rising young playmaker. Initially part of the Cardiff Blues youth set-up, a place was then secured for him at Exeter College before he joined the ranks at Sandy Park ahead of the 2020/21 season.

21-year-old John is considered a highly talented Welshman who has played for Wales under 20s. A son of former Cardiff and Pontypridd coach, Paul John, he made his debut for the Chiefs in a 47-31 points home match victory against Leicester Tigers in March 2021.

Nowell, aged 20, will need little introducing. A younger brother of former Exeter Chiefs, England and British & Irish Lions star, Jack Nowell, he started playing for Penzance & Newlyn RFC at the age of six and has followed a similar path to that of his elder sibling.

Finally, Essex-born Richardson is a former Scotland under 20s and England Students international, now aged 24, who started playing rugby at Cargilfield Prep School in Edinburgh. He next attended nearby Merchiston Castle School before heading south to Devon where he has                 also played for the University of Exeter and for Plymouth Albion.

Commenting on this latest player news, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“We are really pleased once again with our relationship with Exeter Chiefs and the level of players who will be with us.

“There is quite a good blend of the those concerned. Some of the lads we of course know quite well, whilst others will be fresh to an environment that has worked in the past and no doubt will once again as we move forward.”