Cornish Pirates Host Chinnor in Key Round 23 Clash

Pirates Face Must-Win Clash as Play-Off Pressure Builds

The Cornish Pirates will look to get back on track this Saturday as they welcome Chinnor to the Mennaye Field in a crucial Round 23 fixture in Elior Champ Rugby.

With just four league games remaining before the play-offs, the seventh-placed Pirates face a fifth-placed Chinnor side in what is shaping up to be a significant contest. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Changes to Starting XV

There are several changes to the Pirates’ starting line-up following last weekend’s match at Bedford Blues.

Iwan Price-Thomas returns at full-back, while Harry Yates moves from midfield to the wing. Joe Elderkin comes into the centre to partner Chester Ribbons.

At scrum half, Will Becconsall will make his first start for the club, stepping in for the injured Dan Hiscocks.

In the forwards, Morgan Nelson starts at hooker, with Billy Young and Luke Ratcliff also coming into the side. They replace the injured James French and John Stevens.

Among the replacements, 24-year-old centre Harry Ascherl is named. Harry, who has previously played for Bristol Bears, is currently on loan from Exeter Chiefs until the end of the season.

‘Every Fixture Is a Cup Game’

Speaking ahead of the match, joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“After our last couple of results, we have left ourselves a bit of a mountain to climb, starting with Chinnor at the Mennaye on Saturday. Then we have Ealing away, Coventry at home, and finally it’ll be a trip to Hartpury.

“I reckon we need to win three of those final four to a stand chance, so going forward every fixture is a Cup game for us now.

“Chinnor have played very well at the level these past couple of years and remembering that they did a number on us up there earlier in the season it’ll be anything but easy. However, despite having our backs against the wall at present, it is a chance for us to redeem ourselves, and in front of a hopeful big crowd we’ll see how we respond.”

Full Team News

Cornish Pirates starting XV:
15 Iwan Price-Thomas, 14 Arthur Relton, 13 Chester Ribbons, 12 Joe Elderkin, 11 Harry Yates, 10 Arwel Robson, 9 Will Becconsall
1 Billy Young, 2 Morgan Nelson, 3 Alfie Petch, 4 Milo Hallam, 5 Matt Cannon, 6 Alex Everett (captain), 7 Luke Ratcliff, 8 Tomi Agbongbon

Replacements:
16 Sol Moody, 17 Ollie Andrews, 18 Ben Woodmansey, 19 Rory Suttor, 20 Jack Forsythe, 21 Will Rigelsford, 22 Angus Mawson, 23 Harry Ascherl

Match officials:
Referee Harry Walbaum
Assistants Ben Wood and James Pidding
Official 4 Kevin Williams

Saturday’s match day and match ball sponsor is The Logan Rock Inn, with the match day collection supporting Penzance and Newlyn Pilot Gig Club.