Why Cornish Pirates won’t be fooled by Bedford Blues’ league position

Three defeats from three and bottom of a 14-team table. On paper, Bedford Blues look like a side there for the taking. The Cornish Pirates are not reading it that way.

The Pirates travel to Goldington Road on Saturday 10 October (kick-off 5pm) for Round 4 of this season’s Elior Champ Rugby campaign, a week on from their 35-33 home win over Ealing Trailfinders.

Bedford have lost all three of their games so far. But this is a side that has finished second in each of the last two seasons, and the Pirates are expecting a response.

One change to the starting XV

There is a single personnel change from the team that started against Ealing Trailfinders. Josh King comes in to partner Matt Cannon in the second row.

Alex Everett captains the side from the back row.

Joe Walsh on the Ealing win

Cornish Pirates’ coach Joe Walsh described last weekend as “a back-and-forth game and one for the purist”.

“It was naturally a massive achievement for the boys on the pitch,” he said. “Plus, I thought the crowd were immense.”

Of the moment the final try was scored, Joe added: “It was incredible.”

He said there was much to be satisfied with. “The scrum went well and the penalty count was quite low. We are continually working on our kick game and to be more robust in certain areas and to dig deep when working to make a turnover and prevent a score, because such things elevate you to keep such focus to the very end of the game.”

Why Bedford’s start is being treated with caution

Joe pointed to the Pirates’ own recent history as a reason not to read too much into the table.

“We know result-wise Bedford haven’t started well,” he said. “However, it is remembered too that two years ago we lost four of our first five games but eventually ended up a very good fourth in the Championship.”

“Also, on paper we are fully aware that the Blues are a dangerous, Champ level team, and they will be extremely energised and elevated at home to get a win, so we are very clear as to what we are going to come up against.”

Cornish Pirates team to face Bedford Blues

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

Replacements: 16 Matt Pritchard, 17 Jamie Clark, 18 Osman Dimen, 19 Tomi Agbongbon, 20 Luke Ratcliff, 21 Will Becconsall, 22 Angus Mawson, 23 Finn Love.

Match officials

Jamie Parr will referee, assisted by Hamish Grant and James Pidding. Frank Venner is the fourth official.