Can Cornish Pirates Shock League Leaders With Reshuffled Side?

The Cornish Pirates head to Ealing Trailfinders this Saturday for a 3pm kick-off in Round 24 of the Elior Championship Rugby, but they do so with a significantly altered squad forced by some unusual circumstances.

The Dual Registration Problem

Three key players are unavailable for selection this weekend, and not through injury. Backrower Tomi Agbongbon, lock Matt Cannon, and centre/wing Harry Yates are all dual registered with Ealing Trailfinders, meaning the rules prevent them from lining up against their parent club. It is a notable absence of experience that head coach Joe Walsh will need to work around.

Fresh Faces in the Backs

In the backs, Harry Ascherl, on loan from Exeter Chiefs, continues his rapid introduction to Pirates rugby. Having made his debut off the bench against Chinnor last weekend, he steps up to start at centre alongside Chester Ribbons. Matty Ward takes a place on the wing.

New Debut in the Second Row

Perhaps the most eye-catching selection is in the second row, where Oscar Beckerleg is named to make his debut. A product of Penzance & Newlyn RFC’s youth setup and currently on loan from Exeter Chiefs, Oscar has also represented England at under-20s level. He partners Milo Hallam in the second row, with Rory Suttor and Jack Forsythe named as the wing forward pairing.

Alex Everett captains the side from number eight.

More Chiefs Loanees on the Bench

Two further Exeter Chiefs loanees feature among the replacements. Welsh scrum-half Orson James has already made two appearances from the bench for the Pirates this season and is included again. Joining him is fly-half Ben Coen, who, like Oscar Beckerleg, has represented England at under-20s level and is set to make his debut should he be called upon.

Walsh: “Anything Can Happen on the Day”

Speaking ahead of the match, coach Joe Walsh reflected on last weekend’s win over Chinnor before turning his attention to the challenge ahead.

“Firstly, I felt that last Saturday’s win against Chinnor was our most satisfying of the season. They are a quality team so for us to put on such a performance was really pleasing and it sets us up for our last few games.”

On facing Ealing, he added: “Ealing will clearly provide tough opposition, but despite suffering a hefty defeat away against them last year we did score four good tries and came away with a point.”

Joe was candid about the absences but remained upbeat: “We will obviously miss the three players who are unable to feature for us this weekend. However, we will be doing the best to populate that space, and I am sure the guys who go out there will want to rip in and put up a good performance in a Pirates jersey, remembering too that anything can happen on the day.”

He also paid tribute to the support from Exeter Chiefs: “We are once again grateful to Exeter Chiefs for helping to bolster our selected squad. They are gifted young players, who we have quickly endeavoured to get bedded in and to get a grasp of what we are aiming for.”

The match is a 1st versus 6th clash, with the Pirates looking to apply pressure at the top of the table.

Full Squad

Cornish Pirates: 15 Iwan Price-Thomas, 14 Arthur Relton, 13 Chester Ribbons, 12 Harry Ascherl, 11 Matty Ward, 10 Arwel Robson, 9 Will Becconsall; 1 Billy Young, 2 Morgan Nelson, 3 Alfie Petch, 4 Milo Hallam, 5 Oscar Beckerleg, 6 Rory Suttor, 7 Jack Forsythe, 8 Alex Everett (captain).

Replacements: 16 Matt Pritchard, 17 Ollie Andrews, 18 Ben Woodmansey, 19 John Stevens, 20 Sol Moody, 21 Orson James, 22 Ben Coen, 23 Angus Mawson.

Referee: Ben Wood. Assistants: Neil Chivers & James Pidding. Official 4: Steve Hambley.