REDRUTH'S Kyle Marriott has said he is proud to be named as Cornwall's captain for this year's Bill Beaumont County Championship campaign.

On Saturday the side travel to Gloucestershire for their first game of the competition as they look to reach the showpiece final at Twickenham for the third year in a row.

Squad selectors chose the number eight to take over the skipper duties from Cornish All Blacks lock Ben Hilton this season and Marriott expressed his joy about being handed the role.

Marriott said: "Being asked to captain Cornwall for the first time is an awesome honour and I know I have big boots to fill following Ben Hilton as captain.

"Ben has been a great leader and overseen the resurgence of Cornwall rugby over the past few seasons.

"It is testament to the guys who have played hard all season and are prepared to go another month for the opportunity to pull on the famous black and gold jersey."

Cornwall head into the game with a starting XV featuring new faces such as Penryn captain George Jones alongside regular names from last year like Chris Fuca and Matt Shepherd.

After Saturday's clash, Cornwall travel to Kent on May 16 before welcoming Hertfordshire to Redruth on May 23.

Coach Graham Dawe said: "The 2015 season will be very challenging, and this first match has allowed us to consider some players who were not available for the Tamar Cup squad.

"From our initial squad we have selected our 22, other players will be available for the next game. No one’s place is guaranteed, and competition for squad places is still very much available to all."

CORNWALL: 15 Billy Searle (Cornish AB), 14 Steve Johns (Birmingham and Solihull Bees), 13 Jake Murphy (Cornish AB), 12 Nielson Webber (Redruth), 11 Robin Wedlake (Redruth), 10 Lewis Webb (Taunton), 9 Matt Shepherd (Cornish AB); 1 Rupert Freestone (Clifton), 2 Richard Brown (Redruth), 3 Craig Williams (Redruth), 4 Damien Cook (Redruth), 5 Ben Hilton (Cornish AB), 6 Chris Fuca (Redruth), 7 George Jones (Penryn), 8 Kyle Marriott (c, Redruth).

REPS: 16 Jamie Salter (Cornish AB), 17 Christian Judge (Cornish AB), 18 Barry-John Chapman (Cornish AB), 19 Tommy Phillips (Redruth), 20 James Goldsworthy (Camborne), 21 Max Venables (Saltash), 22 Richard Friend (Cornish AB).

RESERVES: David Mankee (Camborne), Mark Grubb (Wadebridge Camels).