‘Kess’ Signs Again

The Cornish Pirates are pleased to announce that experienced scrum-half Tom Kessell has signed another one-year contract with the club. Now aged 32, in two spells with the Pirates he has to date made 133 appearances.

Born in Truro and initially raised in Hayle, Tom started his rugby career with the Pirates back in 1995, playing for the club’s youngest mini-rugby side. Moving to Somerset, he next played for Wells RFC and then joined Bath, playing for them at all ages up to youth and the Academy.

Tom’s senior career saw him first play for Bridgwater & Albion, followed by Newbury and then Plymouth Albion before first signing for the Cornish Pirates in 2011.

He had toured Canada with the England Counties team in 2010, whilst other honours include playing for a selected Championship XV against Canada in November 2014.

Departing the Cornish Pirates in 2015 to join Northampton Saints, Tom later moved to Coventry and then Bristol Bears from where he signed for the Cornish Pirates again for the start of the 2021/22 season.

Delighted that Tom has now signed another one-year contract with the club, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle has said:

“Tom is someone with a lot of games and experience under his belt. He has many attributes and, with his strengths and benefits, has helped other players.

“He is also a good clubman, and a Cornishman to boot, so we are naturally delighted to once again have him on board.”