Cornish Pirates Gear Up for a Tough Encounter Against Champions Ealing Trailfinders

The Cornish Pirates are gearing up for what promises to be a challenging home game in this season’s Championship, as they prepare to face last year’s champions, Ealing Trailfinders, on Friday night (kick-off 7.30pm). This fixture, often considered a highlight of the season, will be the Pirates’ first home game and a chance to showcase their talents in front of a hopeful bumper crowd.

Injuries and New Faces

The team will be led by Alex Everett, who steps in as captain following an injury to club captain John Stevens last week. Alex, a flanker, will be tasked with rallying his team against a formidable Ealing side. Making his debut is lock forward Eoin O’Connor, on loan from Exeter Chiefs, while Sol Moody, also from the Chiefs and dual registered, may make his first league appearance off the bench.

Preparation for the Challenge

Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle has acknowledged the strength of the opposition, describing Ealing Trailfinders as a “formidable and gifted side.” Following their recent win away at Nottingham, the Pirates have been working on key areas in preparation for the game, hoping to maintain their momentum under the Friday night lights.

Team Line-Up

Cornish Pirates:   15 Will Trewin 14 Robin Wedlake 13 Matt McNab 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Arthur Relton 10 Bruce Houston 9 Cameron Jones; 1 Billy Young 2 Morgan Nelson 3 James French 4 Josh King 5 Eoin O’Connor 6 Alex Everett (captain) 7 Will Gibson 8 Hugh Bokenham.

Replacements:   16 Sol Moody 17 Billy Keast 18 Jay Tyack 19 Charlie Rice 20 Harry Hocking 21 Dan Hiscocks 22 Iwan Jenkins 23 Charlie McCaig.

Referee:   George Selwood

Assistants:   Veryan Boscawen & Calum Howard

Official 4:   Paul Box

PR Coach:   Steve Leyshon/PaulDix

Match Day Sponsor:   AndyLoos

Match Day Collection:   Pirates Heritage Fund

Tickets and Further Information

Tickets will be available at the gates on the day, opening at 5.30pm, and can also be purchased online. The match day sponsor is AndyLoos, with a collection for the Pirates Heritage Fund set to take place during the game.