Cornish Pirates Travel to Doncaster Looking to Build on Ampthill Win

The Cornish Pirates are back on their travels this Saturday as they face Doncaster Knights away, with kick off at 2.30pm.

The Round 15 Championship fixture comes just days after the Pirates picked up a much needed 45 to 24 win against Ampthill at Camborne, a result that lifted confidence after a difficult run.

One Change in the Starting XV

There is a single change to the starting line up from last weekend. Lock Charlie ‘Buster’ Rice was injured in the win over Ampthill, meaning Milo Hallam comes in to partner Josh King in the second row.

On the bench, four changes have been made. Morgan Nelson is named as replacement hooker, while prop James French and Australian pair Rory Suttor and Luke Ratcliff are also included among the replacements.

Alan Looks Ahead to Doncaster Test

Speaking ahead of the game, joint head coach Alan Paver reflected on last weekend’s performance and the direction the squad is heading.

“We played particularly well in the first half last weekend, and although unable to replicate the performance in the second forty the bonus point victory was ultimately both worthy and important to us.

“In general, there has been a shift of momentum in our play, which was noticed when we lost away to Coventry at the beginning of the month. Physically we were better, as was our attack, and the set piece was importantly also starting to fire.

“Looking ahead, and without wishing to sound arrogant, our feel is that there is no reason why we can’t maintain an improvement in this second half of the season, because the guys have been training hard and the morale has been high even when we were struggling to achieve a win.

“As for Doncaster, who are evaluating where they are at present, their club is respected and they have a very good side who are always tough to beat. We have had some competitive games against them over the years, and nothing less will be expected on Saturday.”

Team News

Cornish Pirates:
15 Iwan Price-Thomas
14 Arthur Relton
13 Chester Ribbons
12 Joe Elderkin
11 Matty Ward
10 Arwel Robson
9 Dan Hiscocks
1 Alessandro Heaney
2 Sol Moody
3 Alfie Petch
4 Milo Hallam
5 Josh King
6 Alex Everett (captain)
7 Jack Forsythe
8 Tomi Agbongbon

Replacements:
16 Matt Pritchard
17 Billy Young
18 James French
19 Rory Suttor
20 Luke Ratcliff
21 Will Rigelsford
22 Louie Sinclair
23 Ben Cambriani

Referee: Ian Tempest
Assistants: Nikki O’Donnell and Greg Dawson

The Pirates will be looking to back up last weekend’s result and test themselves against a Doncaster side that has proved a tough opponent over the years.