Cornish Pirates v London Welsh preview
Sep
CORNISH PIRATES v 'THE DRAGONS' – Match Preview
On Sunday at The Mennaye Field, Penzance (ko 3pm), it's round 2, in stage 1, of this second RFU Championship season, when the Cornish Pirates will extend a warm welcome to London Welsh.
Despite their quite serious difficulties experienced last season, when the club was in administration even before it began, 'The Dragons' ended up third in the Championship, and were losing semi-finalists. All in all, they must have been pretty satisfied, and it remembered also that along the way they beat us twice (34-10 and 24-28) to actually make it three wins on the trot – having won 10-8 at Camborne in April, 2009.
Following pre-season 'friendlies' against London Irish (lost 21-5) and London Scottish (won 12-67), London Welsh last week recorded a superb 27-21 victory away to the 'Green & Whites' of Nottingham. It was a win at Meadow Lane that was likely more convincing than the scoreline suggests, as in the process they scored four tries to none. Liam Gibson (ex Plymouth Albion) crossed for one, and another new boy, Josh Drauniniu (ex Exeter and Harlequins), crossed for two. Their one other try was scored by former 'Pirate' Simon Whatling.
Besides Josh and Liam, other new faces include Fijian utility back Waisea Luveniyali, plus three Tongans in the shape of centre/wing Epi Taione (ex Racing Metro), centre Hudson Tonga'uiha (ex Doncaster Knights), and, of course, one of our former favourites, hooker Viliami Ma'asi.
With Danny Wilson having moved on to Newport Gwent Dragons, Phil Greening has keenly stepped up to fill the head coach role, with former England Sevens guru Mike Friday joining as Assistant.
The Cornish Pirates side named for Sunday's clash shows two changes in the starting line-up from the one that faced Doncaster Knights last weekend. In the back-row Blair Cowan comes in at No. 8 for Kyle Marriott, whilst in the second rank Mike Myerscough will now partner Laurie McGlone following Ben Gulliver's loan move to Leicester Tigers.
Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, N. Jackson, M. Hopper, S. Winn, R. McAtee, J. Bentley, G. Cattle (capt), B. Cowan, P. Burgess, C. Morgan, M. Myerscough, L. McGlone, R. Brits, D. Ward, A. Paver.
Replacements: P. Andrew, R. Elloway, C. Rimmer, I. Nimmo, S. Betty, G. Pointer, T. Luke.
Referee: Rowan Kitt (RFU)
Assistants: Philip Davies & Nigel Higginson
Assessor: Steve Leyshon
SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE FOR SUPPORTERS
To help supporters who will be travelling by train to watch the Pirates on Sunday, Mounts Bay Coaches are again providing a bus service from the Penzance railway station to the Mennaye Field, Alexandra Road, ground.
Trains are due in at Penzance at 1245, 1318, and 1414, and a bus will be depart from the lay-by outside of Sullivan's Diner opposite the station at 1300, 1330, and 1430.
Following the game, buses will leave outside of the ground at 1700, 1730, and 1830, there trains scheduled to depart Penzance at 1750, 1900 (doesn't stop at Hayle), 2005, and 2115 (doesn't stop at Hayle or Par).
The cost per seat for this 'use it or lose it' service, is £1 each way.
