Quartet join on loan from Ealing Trailfinders

Having announced in May the names of 14 x players who had signed new one-year contracts for the forthcoming 2023-24 season, the Cornish Pirates can for the present pleasingly now add to the list the names of 4 x players who will be arriving on loan for the season from Ealing Trailfinders.

The quartet trailfinding a path to the Mennaye Field comprises Harry Dugmore (back-row), Tom Georgiou (centre/full-back), Eparama ‘Epi’ Rokodrava (wing), and Lefty Zigiriadis (prop).

Dugmore, who will shortly celebrate his 22^nd birthday, played his early rugby for Camberley and for Whitgift School. He is also a former member of the Harlequins Academy and has played for England under 18s.

Aged 21, Georgiou is a product of Woodhouse Grove School and Brunel University. Seen as an exciting prospect, he has been a leading Trailfinders Academy player who has also featured for Blackheath and for London Scottish.

Rokodrava is an exciting young talent who came through the rugby programme at the City of Oxford College and has represented England under 18s. He had been a member of the Wasps senior academy before joining the Trailfinders.

Bred in South Africa, 21-year-old Zigiriadis was part of the Natal Sharks Academy and has in the past played provincial rugby for KwaZulu-Natal. As for Ealing Trailfinders, he made his first team debut off the bench in the 50-12 points win at home against the Cornish Pirates in March.

Speaking with reference to the four players, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle has said:

“Considering the quality of the Trailfinders’ squad they are looking more at their long-term future and this arrangement will give these young lads the opportunity to play and develop.

“We have a good relationship with the Ealing club off the pitch and we are happy to work with these gifted players. Their playing positions are also ones that we are looking to fill, so it is mutually beneficial.”

Ealing Trailfinders’ Director of Rugby, Ben Ward, also commented:

“Lefty, Harry, Tom and Epi are all incredibly exciting rugby players who we’re pleased to have at the club.

“The opportunity to go down to Cornwall and challenge themselves in a new environment is a great opportunity for all four lads.

“With Paves, Gav and Louie, we know how strong the rugby programme is down there and I trust their opinion so I can’t wait to see the feedback we get and how our players get on.”

Watch out next week for further player news early next week.