During recent weeks the Cornish Pirates have announced the names of 19 players who have been contracted beyond the end of this season, and now added to the list is centre Tom Riley who has signed for a further two years.

Aged 28, Welshman Tom has made 58 appearances for the Pirates as influential midfield performer. He joined the club in 2012, was last season's 'Sportsman of the Year' and 'Players' Player of the Year', and during this season was honoured to play for the Barbarians.

With reference to the 19 names previously announced 10 were forwards, namely prop Jack Andrew, hookers Tom Channon and Rob Elloway, hooker/No. 8 Aaron Carpenter, locks Darren Barry and Will Graulich, and back-rowers Joe Atkinson, Alex Cheesman, Tom Duncan and Chris Morgan. All have signed two year contracts.

In the backs, besides player/coach Gavin Cattle, full-back/wings Kieran Goss and Craig Holland, along with scrum-half/wings Tom Kessell and Mike Pope, centre Rheon James utility back Kyle Moyle have also put pen to paper for two years, whilst centre Alex Dancer and utility back Matt Evans have signed for one year.

It is felt that by retaining a large number of their squad the Pirates will build on the good foundations laid this season, but they cannot of course keep everyone.

Players who have at this stage confirmed they are moving on are Ben Prescott, Gary Johnson, Kyle Marriott and Angus Sinclair, who is returning home to Australia. Junior Fatialofa has decided to hang up his boots, and it is confirmed too that one of the club's true stalwarts, team manager and kit man Chris 'Jan' Rendall, has also decided to step down at the end of the season.

Commenting with reference to Tom's signing and also thanking the quite considerable input of those departing,  Director of Rugby, Ian Davies, said: "To those who are departing they leave with thanks for their quite considerable input, and with best wishes for the future.

"As for Tom, he has been one of the stand out centres in the Championship since his debut with us, and with him committing for the next two seasons we are securing a number of exciting talented players for the Pirates squad."