GREEN-LIGHTING the Stadium for Cornwall plans could have prevented players leaving the Cornish Pirates – according to Worcester-bound Darren Barry.

The 25-year-old agreed a deal last week with the Warriors which will see him join the ranks at Sixways Stadium next season after three years at the Mennaye.

He is the third squad member who will be leaving the Pirates for bigger clubs with Tom Kessell heading to Northampton and Jamal Ford-Robinson agreeing terms with Bristol, a club with Premiership ambitions.

Ahead of their 27-16 win against Plymouth Albion on Sunday, player-coach Alan Paver spoke out in the media saying if Cornwall Council had approved stadium plans, players like Barry would stay with the Pirates.

Speaking to the Packet, Barry confirmed the issues with getting permission for the stadium was partly behind his decision to leave.

Barry said: “I think if the stadium was in the process of being built then it would give more of an incentive to stay put as it would mean moving up to the Premiership could happen.

“Unfortunately that is not the case right now and for the foreseeable future it does not look like it is going to happen, so when Worcester made me the offer I felt it was a chance I had to take.

“We have been speaking about it as players and we all cannot believe there isn’t already a stadium in Cornwall like the one being proposed.

“Hopefully it will go through eventually and get built which would be a really good thing for the county and the Pirates, as it would really allow the side to push for a spot in the Premiership.”

Falmouth Packet: Stadium for Cornwall supporters dismay at Truro Council's 'delaying tactics'

Plans to build the 10,000 seater stadium have faltered in recent years

This season Barry, who joined the Pirates after being released by Bristol, has been in impressive form for the Championship side.

In 18 appearances, Barry has one try to his name and has been a key part of the scrum and line-outs during the season.

Since arriving at the Mennaye, the second row has featured 82 times for the club and nearly scored a move to the Warriors last season only to see the deal fall through.

With this in mind, Barry said he was determined to work hard in 2014/15.

“I spoke to Worcester last season about a possible move but it didn’t happen in the end,” he said.

“It was a bit disappointing but it made even more determined to prove myself again this season and when they made me the offer, it showed it has paid off.”

Barry went onto say he has loved every moment of life at the Mennaye and said he will miss it.

He said: “When I was released by Bristol it was a disappointing time in my career, although I was probably a bit naive at the time as I assumed I’d spend my whole career there.

“I’ve developed a lot as a player since coming to the Pirates and that has included becoming a key part of the line-out with Ian Davies putting a lot of trust in me to run them both in attack and defence.

“I’ve also grown up a lot and become more physical as a player.

“Personal highlights for me include beating Bristol three years in a row at home and getting picked this season for the Championship XV, but what I’ll miss the most is the great friendships I’ve made here.”