Cornish Pirates head to Coventry, where Bruce Houston awaits

One game played, one win banked. Now the Cornish Pirates take that start on the road, to a side stung by a three-point defeat and fielding a familiar face.

The Cornish Pirates travel to Coventry this Saturday (26 September) for Round 2 of the 2026/27 Elior Champ Rugby season, with kick-off at 3pm at the Nick Newbold Stadium.

They arrive on the back of an impressive opener, beating Doncaster Knights 45-19 at home last Sunday.

A Coventry side looking to bounce back

A fully contested affair is expected on the 4G synthetic pitch. Coventry, known as ‘Cov’, lost their own league opener 38-35 away to Rotherham Titans and will be keen to put that right.

One to watch is former Pirate Bruce Houston. He scored a try and slotted five conversions in that narrow defeat.

Injuries force changes

Centre Chester Ribbons and lock Steele Barker both picked up injuries against the Knights, so there are changes to the starting XV.

Joe Elderkin slots into the centre and Tomi Agbongbon is selected at No. 8, with Hugh Bokenham moving up into the second row.

Josh King and Luke Ratcliff come onto the bench. And if Matt Cannon features, as is likely, it will mark his 50th appearance for the club.

📷The Cornish Pirates team to face Coventry. Credit: Cornish Pirates

The Cornish Pirates team to face Coventry

Starting XV: 15 Henry Palmer, 14 Arthur Relton, 13 Harry Ascherl, 12 Joe Elderkin, 11 Josh Radcliffe, 10 Arwel Robson, 9 Dan Hiscocks, 1 Alessandro Heaney, 2 Morgan Nelson, 3 Alfie Petch, 4 Milo Hallam, 5 Hugh Bokenham, 6 Alex Everett (captain), 7 Jack Forsythe, 8 Tomi Agbongbon.

Replacements: 16 Matt Pritchard, 17 Jamie Clark, 18 Osman Dimen, 19 Matt Cannon, 20 Josh King, 21 Luke Ratcliff, 22 Will Becconsall, 23 Finn Love.

Referee: Andy Wigley
Assistants: Hamish Grant and Henry Lowis
Official 4: James Minards

What Gavin Cattle said

Speaking ahead of the game, Cornish Pirates joint head coach Gavin Cattle said:

“Coventry have recruited well and have a lot of quality in their team and beaten in a high-scoring game against Harvey Biljon’s Titans they will be looking to right their wrongs and be ultra keen to record a win this weekend.

“Former ‘Pirate’ Bruce Houston has obviously settled in well there and we know the threat that he poses as a good player, who is also a good man.

“Looking back on Sunday, in the first half I felt there were opportunities for us to pull away with ball in hand, plus we felt our power in the scrum didn’t get any reward, so that is something we have been looking at. Overall, though, it was very pleasing that we stuck to task and ultimately recorded such a result.”

📷Tomi Agbongbon starts at No. 8 for the Cornish Pirates. Credit: Cornish Pirates