Cornish Pirates v Richmond: unbeaten Mennaye record on the line

A long trip north, a 40-21 win and a climb to fourth. Now the Cornish Pirates come home with something to protect.

The Cornish Pirates host Richmond at the Mennaye this Saturday (7 November), kick-off 3pm, looking to keep their unbeaten home record in the Elior Champ Rugby campaign intact.

A first away win, and a move up to fourth

Last weekend’s 40-21 victory at Rotherham Titans was the Pirates’ first away win of the season. It also lifted them to fourth in the division.

Coach Joe Walsh said: “Having achieved a ‘good to get’ first win on the road at Rotherham last weekend, and on our longest away trip against a team who hadn’t lost at home in a long time, was very pleasing. It was a challenge, but the boys responded massively to achieve the result.”

Richmond arrive with a win of their own

Richmond sit thirteenth in the league. But they won their first game of the season against Caldy last weekend, and the Pirates are taking nothing for granted.

Joe said: “As for this Saturday, thirteenth in the league Richmond scrapped hard to record their first win versus Caldy last weekend, and they will no doubt try to make it very difficult for us at the Mennaye. Indeed, irrespective of our present league positions we are looking at this as a big challenge and one when we will be taking nothing for granted.”

Two changes to the starting line-up

Josh Radcliffe comes into the centre in place of the injured Chester Ribbons. In the forwards, Tomi Agbongbon starts at number 8, with Hugh Bokenham dropping to the bench.

Also among the replacements are fit again prop Billy Young and Dan O’Brien, a versatile Australian back who has recently arrived at the club. Alex Everett leads the side as captain.

Cornish Pirates line-up

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

Replacements: 16 Matt Pritchard, 17 Billy Young, 18 Jamie Clark, 19 Matt Cannon, 20 Hugh Bokenham, 21 Angus Mawson, 22 Joe Elderkin, 23 Dan O’Brien.

Referee: Holly Wood. Assistants: Jonathan Healy and James Pidding. Official 4: Will Williams.

📷Match day timings for Cornish Pirates v Richmond at the Mennaye

Remembrance before kick-off

Gates and the club shop open at 1pm, with hospitality arrivals from 12.30pm. The fanzone runs from 1.30pm to 2.30pm, with free squad photos for supporters to get signed.

Warm ups start at 2.30pm, and at 2.55pm there will be a Remembrance ceremony ahead of kick-off. The match day collection is for The Royal British Legion.

Half time brings entertainment from Thatchers Cider and the Penzance Gymnastic Club cheerleaders. The second half gets under way at 4pm, with full time and the post-match awards due around 4.45pm.

Britannia Windows is the match day sponsor, and Lusty Glaze is sponsoring the match ball.

Looking further ahead, Joe added: “It is only a quarter of the season gone and things can change, but for us an obvious positive is that we are creating a good feel factor which is felt by both our players and supporters alike.”

📷The Cornish Pirates line-up to face Richmond at the Mennaye