Cornish Pirates looking for winning start in the British and Irish Cup
12:00pm Friday 12th October 2012 in Sport
Playing their British & Irish Cup opener at home to Welsh Premier side Carmarthen Quins on Sunday (ko 3pm), the Cornish Pirates will be aiming for a winning start.
The Pirates are aware, however, that the game will be hard fought as the Quins, who are likely to include former Pirates Rhodri Wells and Darren Daniel in their squad, will clearly relish the challenge as they make their debut performance in the competition. No side, and especially a Welsh one, can ever be taken lightly, and it'll be fresh in the minds of Pirates supporters and the team that last season they succumbed away to Cross Keys, albeit at the at the semi-final stage.
For this game the Pirates have made a number of changes to the side that lost in the final seconds away to London Scottish last weekend. In the pack a fit again Laurie McGlone will make his second appearance of the season at No. 8, Darren Barry will partner David Lyons to form the lock pairing, and in the front-row Darren Semmens is named at hooker and prop Peter Joyce makes his first start for the club since signing from Redruth.
Another recent recruit who has put pen to paper, Ben Mercer, makes his debut for the Pirates on the wing, whilst Aaron Penberthy is named at fly-half, Alex Cheesman comes into the side at outside centre, and Wes Davies moves from wing to full-back.
Two new faces named among the replacements, who are both 19 years old, are full-back/wing JJ (Jamie-John) Kilmartin and scrum-half Rob Coote. Kilmartin is dual-registered with Bath Rugby, and Truro-born Coote is an Exeter University student who has played for Exeter Chiefs in the 'A' league. He will provide cover during Gavin Cattle's temporary absence through injury.
The Cornish Pirates selection to face Carmarthen Quins is as follows:-
Cornish Pirates: W Davies, B. Mercer, A. Cheesman, J. Fatialofa, T. Bedford, A. Penberthy, T. Kessell, L. McGlone, J. Buckle, C. Morgan (capt), D. Lyons, D. Barry, P. Joyce, D. Semmens, A. Paver.
Replacements: P. Andrew, R. Elloway, G. Johnson, P. Burgess, R. Coote, K. Hallett, JJ Kilmartin,
Ticket prices for Sunday' match, for the terraces or open seating, are favourably reduced - just £10 for adults and concessions, and free for under 16s. Season ticket holders should note that their season ticket also covers their entry to the game.
Tickets will be available on the day at the gates, which open at 1pm, but in advance they can be purchased on-line at www.cornish-pirates.com, and from certain Warrens shops about the county
