Cornish Pirates looking to improve their 'points for' column against London Scottish
11:24am Friday 5th October 2012 in Sport
It's Round 6 and October 6 this Saturday when the Pirates are on the road for the second week running, this time to face London Scottish at The Athletic Ground, Richmond (ko 3pm).
The famous exiles club is presently ninth in the RFU Championship league table and the Pirates are eighth, with only points difference separating the sides. To date London Scottish have won against Rotherham Titans (26-20) and Doncaster Knights (37-26), but lost to Newcastle Falcons (32-49), Bedford Blues (55-20) and Nottingham (54-9).
In matches between the two teams last season, the Pirates won narrowly 25-23 away and were more comfortable winners 42-10 at home, but the 'points for' column is a little low at present, so the recipe to deliver more will be sought through personnel who have it in them to deliver.
Open-side flanker Phil Burgess, who returns to the starting line-up and will captain the Cornish Pirates in the injured absence of club skipper and scrum-half Gavin Cattle, will be keen to lead the side to victory. He replaces young Joe Buckle who was a try-scorer at Doncaster. The one other change in the pack sees Ben Maidment return at No. 8 in place of Laurie McGlone.
There are a number of changes in the backs, with full-back Jack Nowell, who is dual-registered with Exeter Chiefs, coming into the side for the injured Matt Evans. Having played for Plymouth Albion in the Championship last season, this will be his first Championship appearance for the Pirates. Wes Davies is fit again and will take the place of Tom Kessell on the wing, who is selected in his more accustomed scrum-half role, and Junior Fatialofa replaces Alex Cheesman at inside centre.
A recent arrival named on the bench to provide scrum-half cover, is Junior Poluleuligaga on loan from Exeter Chiefs.
Cornish Pirates: J. Nowell, T. Bedford, T. Riley, J. Fatialofa, W. Davies, K. Hallett, T. Kessell, B. Maidment, P. Burgess (capt), C. Morgan, G. Johnson, D. Lyons, A. Paver, J. Yeandle, R. Storer. Replacements: B. Prescott, R. Elloway, D. Barry, J. Buckle, J. Poluleuligaga, A. Penberthy, A. Cheesman.
