Cornish Pirates Set for New Year’s Day Trip to Coventry Rugby

The Cornish Pirates head into the New Year with a challenging away trip as they travel to the Butts Park Arena to face Coventry Rugby on New Year’s Day.

Kick off for the Round 13 Championship fixture, which sees fifth play eighth, is at 3pm at Butts Park Arena.

New centre pairing named

The Pirates have made changes in midfield, naming a new centre partnership of Zack Wimbush and Harry Yates for the trip to the Midlands. Matty Ward also comes into the starting line up on the wing.

In the forwards, Alessandro Heaney starts at loose head prop, Sol Moody lines up at hooker, and Tomi Agbongbon is named at number eight. Replacement prop Billy Young is expected to make his 50th appearance for the club.

Walsh reflects on recent form

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s match, Cornish Pirates coach Joe Walsh said there were positives to take from the recent home defeat to Ealing Trailfinders, while also acknowledging areas that need improvement.

“There were certain encouraging signs in our defeat at home to Ealing Trailfinders, although we didn’t quite reach the level of physicality that we wanted and expected,” said Joe.

Looking ahead to Coventry, he added: “They have been in good form and can be a dangerous animal. It’s a bit frustrating that we only have a 5 day turnaround, so we need to put some motivation behind that for what will be a different type of game played on their fast artificial track.

“Coventry have made some useful signings, and we know their threats, plus it is important that we put our own game on the pitch which we haven’t been able to do these past couple or so weeks.”

Eyes on the New Year

Joe also spoke about the weeks ahead as the calendar turns. “As we go into the New Year, it is hoped to have available several players who have been missing. Also, if we can get that consistency in personnel and put together some winning performances then it’ll give us that chance to climb back up the league table.”

Team news

Cornish Pirates
15 Iwan Price Thomas
14 Arthur Relton
13 Zack Wimbush
12 Harry Yates
11 Matty Ward
10 Arwel Robson
9 Dan Hiscocks (captain)

1 Alessandro Heaney
2 Sol Moody
3 Alfie Petch
4 Charlie Rice
5 Alfie Bell
6 Rory Suttor
7 Josh King
8 Tomi Agbongbon

Replacements:
16 Matt Pritchard
17 Billy Young
18 James French
19 Milo Hallam
20 Luke Ratcliff
21 Will Rigelsford
22 Louie Sinclair
23 Joe Elderkin

Referee: Hamish Grant
Assistants: Jack Sutton and James Clarke
Fourth Official: Kieron Henry