Cornish Pirates Face Must Win Showdown as Play Off Hopes Hang by a Thread

The Cornish Pirates head into their final home league fixture of the season this Saturday knowing that anything less than a victory could end their play off hopes for good.

Penzance’s Mennaye Field is set for a busy and atmospheric afternoon (kick off 2.30pm) as the Pirates welcome third-placed Coventry in Round 25 of Elior Champ Rugby. With the West Midlands side flying high and the Pirates sitting seventh, Saturday’s contest carries weight at both ends of the table.

Revenge on the Cards

Coventry handed the Pirates a 41-26 defeat on New Year’s Day at their recently renamed Nick Newbold Stadium, so Saturday offers a chance to settle the score on home soil. There is a curious historical note in the Pirates’ favour too. Coventry have not won away against them since August 1998, when they came out 27-13 victors.

The visitors will not be turning up for a friendly afternoon out, mind you. They are pushing hard for a home semi-final spot and remain in touch for second place in the table.

Returns and Recoveries

Joint head coach Gavin Cattle has made several changes for the occasion. Wing Harry Yates, lock Matt Cannon, and number 8 Tomi Agbongbon all return to the starting XV, with Tomi making his 50th appearance for the club.

Scrum half Dan Hiscocks is back in the 9 shirt after recovering from injury, while lock Charlie ‘Buster’ Rice and experienced prop Ehren Painter (on loan from Exeter Chiefs) take their places on the bench.

What Cattle Said

Speaking ahead of the match, Gavin said:

“Nice to have had a week off and to refresh after a very physical game on a very firm surface away to Ealing Trailfinders, looking forward now to this weekend we know what the task is ahead and we simply must win to stay in the fight.

“It’s very much like a Cup game for us, and it will be a big ask, because Coventry are a form team who recruited well and have a strong backline. They have also got a home semi to play for, because they are still in touch for that second spot.

“Yes, we lost 41-26 away at their recently renamed ‘Nick Newbold Stadium’ on New Year’s Day. However, I do though think we are in a better place now than we were back then, and Saturday should be a great contest for supporters to get behind us and enjoy.”

The Team in Full

Cornish Pirates: 15 Iwan Price-Thomas, 14 Arthur Relton, 13 Chester Ribbons, 12 Herry Ascherl, 11 Harry Yates, 10 Arwel Robson, 9 Dan Hiscocks, 1 Billy Young, 2 Morgan Nelson, 3 Alfie Petch, 4 Milo Hallam, 5 Matt Cannon, 6 Alex Everett (captain), 7 Jack Forsythe, 8 Tomi Agbongbon.

Replacements: 16 Sol Moody, 17 Ollie Andrews, 18 Ehren Painter, 19 Charlie Rice, 20 John Stevens, 21 Will Becconsall, 22 Angus Mawson, 23 Matty Ward.

Dan Jones takes charge as referee, with Andy Wigley and Mike Woods running the lines and Kevin Williams as fourth official.

Match Day Details

Tricorn Consulting Ltd are match day sponsors, with Yeomans sponsoring the match ball. The match day collection will be in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Win on Saturday and the Pirates head to Hartpury on Saturday week with everything still to play for. Lose, and the play off conversation goes quiet for another year.