Cornish Pirates Host Unbeaten Ealing Trailfinders at the Mennaye Field

A big festive crowd is expected at the Mennaye Field on Saturday as Cornish Pirates welcome unbeaten league leaders Ealing Trailfinders for Round 12 of the Championship.

The Christmas fixture sees the Pirates, currently eighth in the table, take on a side yet to lose this season, with kick off scheduled for 2.30pm.

Changes After Chinnor Defeat

The Pirates go into the match looking to respond after a difficult afternoon away at Chinnor last weekend, where they were beaten 47 to 10 in Oxfordshire.

There are changes to the side, including a return for fit again full back Iwan Price-Thomas, while Ben Cambriani comes in on the wing. In the front row, Billy Young and Alfie Petch are named as the starting props.

Rory Suttor and Jack Forsythe are both selected in the back row as the Pirates look to strengthen their forward pack against a powerful Ealing side.

Notable Names on the Bench

Two players on loan from Exeter Chiefs are included among the replacements. Bristol born lock Joe Bailey, who has represented England at under 20s level, is named on the bench alongside back Zack Wimbush, who impressed as a replacement at home to Cambridge in November.

Centre Joe Elderkin is set to make his 100th appearance for the Pirates, a significant milestone for the club. However, Tomiwa Agbongbon, Matt Cannon and Harry Yates are unavailable due to their dual registration with Ealing Trailfinders.

Paver Looks for a Response

Speaking ahead of the match, joint head coach Alan Paver said:

“Obviously, this week’s game comes on the back of a rare and disappointing performance in losing 47-10 away to Chinnor. There is a lot of soul searching when something like that happens, but after first recognising the unusual low quality of performance we have had to quickly look forward to the task ahead this weekend against a formidable Ealing Trailfinders side.

“Our reaction will be interesting, because when you have had a below par performance you normally get a psychological and emotional response, plus we’ll hope that the core skills are in place.

“Ealing deserve respect for having been on the journey now for a long time and for what they have achieved. They are winning and are the team to beat, their sustained effort having required a lot of stability. Having said that, however, on any given day any team can beat another, and I think support can play a big part. The bigger the buzz about the stadium, the bigger the performance, and with a good forecast and played in good conditions Saturday’s contest should make a great spectacle.”

Saturday’s Starting XV

Cornish Pirates:
15 Iwan Price-Thomas, 14 Arthur Relton, 13 Chester Ribbons, 12 Joe Elderkin, 11 Ben Cambriani, 10 Arwel Robson, 9 Dan Hiscocks (captain);
1 Billy Young, 2 Morgan Nelson, 3 Alfie Petch, 4 Charlie Rice, 5 Alfie Bell, 6 Rory Suttor, 7 Josh King, 8 Jack Forysthe.

Replacements:
16 Matt Pritchard, 17 Alessandro Heaney, 18 James French, 19 Joe Bailey, 20 Luke Ratcliff, 21 Will Rigelsford, 22 Louie Sinclair, 23 Zack Wimbush.

Match Officials:
Referee: Jamie Parr
Assistants: Ben Simpson and Kevin Williams
Official 4: Rhys Cleary

Sponsors:
Match Day Sponsor: Yeomans
Match Ball Sponsor: AndyLoos

The festive showdown promises a strong test for the Pirates as they look to bounce back in front of a large Mennaye crowd.