The Pirates and Pontypridd faced each other regularly at the Mennaye Field, Penzance, over half a century ago, in days when numerous great teams visited Cornwall on tour.

There were no cups or leagues to worry about then, but this weekend it will be different, the 'Clash of the Celts' being an important quarter-final contest in this season's British & Irish Cup competition. The gates open 12 noon at the Mennaye Field and the kick-off is at 2pm.

A game to truly whet the appetite, and in front of an expected big crowd, the Cornish Pirates are aware that Pontypridd, the present leaders of the Principality Premiership in Wales, pose a real threat, having topped a tough Pool 2 in the Cup, where impressive wins were recorded against London Scottish, London Welsh, and Edinburgh Academicals.

Cornish Pirates, who topped Pool 6 and were also first ever winners of the trophy back in 2010, go into this match having won their last two league games, at home to Nottingham and away to Plymouth Albion.

Centre Tom Riley is named to face his former club, and lined up to make his 50th appearance for the Pirates is flanker Alex Cheesman, who has made a considerable impression this season.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's game the Cornish Pirates Director of Rugby, Ian Davies, said: “We know Ponty will play with a lot of passion and won't lie down, and being such an important contest it is hoped that every man and his dog from Cornwall will be out to support us.”

The Cornish Pirates full selection is as follows: 15 Kieran Goss, 14 Kyle Moyle, 13 Tom Riley, 12 Junior Fatialofa, 11 Craig Holland, 10 Kieran Hallett, 9 Tom Kessell; 1 Jack Andrew, 2 Rob Elloway, 3 Ben Prescott,  4 Laurie McGlone, 5 Darren Barry, 6 Chris Morgan (capt), 7 Alex Cheesman, 8 Aaron Carpenter.
Replacements:   16 Tom Channon, 17 Shane Cahill, 18 Will Graulich, 19 Joel Conlon, 20 Jake Parker, 21 Rheon James, 22 Max Bodilly.
Referee:   Gary Conway (IRFU)          Assistants:   Nigel Correll & John Carvill
Match Day Sponsor:   Vospers

Falmouth Marine Band will be about, playing in their own inimitable but popular style, the 'Rattler' Strongman Challenge returns at half-time, and the match day collection is for The Children's Society.

Children's Hospice South West will have a stall promoting their lottery, and after the game the Cadgwith Singers will 'strike up' in the clubhouse and Blue Horyzon will be performing in the Travis Perkins marquee.