Cornish Pirates ring changes for Plymouth Albion clash

Cornish Pirates are back out on the road today for the second match of their pre-season programme, and the side taking on Plymouth Albion at Brickfields carries several changes from the one that ran out at Camborne last weekend.

A tougher test after the Camborne opener

Alan Paver’s side made a solid start to pre-season last Saturday, winning 50-28 away to Camborne. Today brings a sterner examination in the shape of Plymouth Albion (kick-off 3pm), a Devon side the Pirates have contested many fine matches against over the years and one expected to be keen to impress in front of their own Brickfields crowd.

Plymouth Albion’s push for promotion from National 1 ended in May, when they lost 22-10 away to Blackheath in the play-off. Their own pre-season also began last weekend, going down 36-33 in a thriller against Swansea in Wales.

Everett returns, Becconsall and Barker recalled

Several faces are back for the trip across the Tamar. Skipper Alex Everett is available for his first outing of the season, having missed last Saturday’s game to attend former club captain John Stevens’ wedding. Scrum half Will Becconsall, another absentee against Camborne, starts in the number 9 shirt, and in the second row Steele Barker starts for the first time since rejoining the club.

Paver on combinations and cohesion

“Keen to look at all different types of combinations, we have this week made several changes, but it is still a strong side with a lot of quality and cohesion,” said joint head coach Alan Paver.

“In the backs Josh Radcliffe, a debutant replacement last week, starts alongside Harry Ascherl in the centre, Hugh (Bokenham) is selected at ‘8’ and Steele (Barker), after a bit of a lay off because of injury, is selected in the second row. The availability of Al (Everett) also adds real quality and power.

“Pritch (Matt Pritchard) comes in at hooker, which is great for him and us, as he gets an opportunity to put his hand up. Morgan Nelson, obviously, is a consistent performer, which means we have two good lads there.”

Alan added: “Overall, we think the balance of the side is about right, but we don’t expect the plan to go one hundred per cent right, because it never does.

“Also, importantly, we rightly respect the quality of the opposition that will be in front of us, and again I think it’s going to be a great occasion for both sides. Touch wood we all get what we need out of it.”

Teams and officials

Cornish Pirates: 15 Angus Mawson, 14 Arthur Relton, 13 Josh Radcliffe, 12 Harry Ascherl, 11 Henry Palmer, 10 Arwel Robson, 9 Will Becconsall, 1 Alessandro Heaney, 2 Matt Pritchard, 3 Tyler Gendall, 4 Matt Cannon, 5 Steele Barker, 6 Alex Everett (captain), 7 Luke Ratcliff, 8 Hugh Bokenham.

Replacements: 16 Morgan Nelson, 17 Jamie Clark, 18 Alfie Petch, 19 Josh King, 20 Milo Hallam, 21 Barnaby Elderkin, 22 Jack Forsythe, 23 Tomi Agbongbon, 24 Dan Hiscocks, 25 Finn Love, 26 Joe Elderkin, 27 Sam Cahill.

Shirt numbers are always liable to change, particularly in friendly fixtures.

Referee: Adam Wookey. Assistants: Kevin Williams and Rob Lowe.