After three rounds played in this season’s Greene King IPA Championship, the Cornish Pirates and Rotherham Titans will face each other at the Mennaye Field on Sunday (ko 2.30pm), with neither side having yet won a match, writes Phil Westren.
The Cornish Pirates emerged 34-5 victors when the teams last met at the Mennaye Field back in March, which is a result they would love to repeat, however with both teams entering this contest with added incentive to taste victory, nothing will be taken for granted.
Among changes in the Cornish Pirates line-up, prop Christian Judge and flanker Dan Lee are handed their first Championship starts of the season, whilst hooker James Fish, who is dual registered with Northampton Saints, will be keen to make his debut appearance for the Pirates off the bench.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game, coach Gavin Cattle has said: “Despite three defeats the boys are really developing and have put in some good performances.
“We are also aware the Titans are improving as a new group of players, and with a number of big units in their squad expect them to by physical. For us, though, it’s about maintaining a focus and getting right certain aspects of our game.
“Both teams are in the same boat, striving for that first win, and although an inevitable tough battle is guaranteed we must back ourselves playing at home.”
The Cornish Pirates full selection is as follows:
Cornish Pirates: 15, Toby May, 14 Alex O’Meara, 13 Pete Laverick, 12 Nicolas De Battista (c), 11 Kyle Moyle, 10 Laurence May, 9 Alex Day; 1 Marlen Walker, 2 Tom Cowan-Dickie, 3 Christian Judge, 4 Rupert Cooper, 5 Josh Caulfield, 6 Dan Lee, 7 Matt Bolwell, 8 Tom Lawday.
Replacements: 16 Billy Keast, 17 James Fish, 18, Toby Freeman, 19 Tom Duncan, 20 Mike Pope, 21 Will Cargill, 22 Dan Koster
Referee: Dean Richards (RFU)
Assistants: Greg Garner & Nick Marshall
Official 4: James Milliner Assessor: Sam Collins
Match Day Sponsor: FWB
Tickets for Sunday’s game can be purchased at the gates on the day, or on-line. For further information please visit www.cornish-pirates.com/tickets
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