After a four weeks break it's a return to Cornish Pirates rugby action at the Mennaye Field on Sunday, when Doncaster Knights visit for an important RFU Championship clash. The kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Doncaster Knights might well be at the foot of the Championship league table, but they're guaranteed to provide stern opposition, as aware that the bottom club faces relegation at the end of Stage One they will be mightily keen to start acquiring the league points needed to ultimately leapfrog to safety.

February marks the start of what should be a fascinatingly interesting period, and for the Pirates it's a case of seeking a win that will help them in their push for a top four promotion play-off spot.

 

Barring sickness or injury Sunday's match should also provide another memorable day in the career of the club's longest serving present player, popular prop forward Alan Paver, who is set to make his 300th appearance for the Pirates. To reach such a milestone in the professional era is a truly remarkable achievement, and one that only a small amount of players achieve.

The Pirates welcome back from injury wing Matt Evans, who is their top try-scorer in the Championship this season, and this week's confirmed on loan signing from London Welsh, Ashley Smith, is named on the bench.

Tickets for Sunday game will be available on the day but as ever they are also available on-line at www.cornish-pirates.com, from the club's ticket office open Mon-Fri 9am - 12 noon, and from certain Warrens shops about the county.

The Cornish Pirates selection is as follows:-

Cornish Pirates:   W. Davies, B. Mercer, T. Riley, J. Fatialofa, M. Evans, K. Hallett, G. Cattle (capt), L. McGlone, P. Burgess, K. Marriott, G. Johnson, D. Barry, A. Paver, D. Semmens, P. Andrew.

Replacements:   R. Storer, R. Elloway, B. Prescott, D. Lyons, B. Maidment, T. Kessell, A. Smith.

Referee:   Matt Carley (RFU)      Assistants:   Dino Maddern & Tom Foley

Match Day Sponsor:   Andy Loos