Match Guide: Cornish Pirates (A)

After a strong start to the Championship Cup, we return to action in the league this week as we make the long trip down to Cornish Pirates.

RFU CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 8

Date: Saturday 3rd December

Kick-Off: 2.30pm

Location: The Mennaye, Cornwall

Tickets: Available from £19 – click here to purchase

Livestream: £7 – click here to purchase

Coverage: Live coverage of the game will be available via our Twitter feed and website

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION:

Originally founded in 1945, Cornish Pirates have become a real force in the English second-tier ever since they were promoted to the league in 2003. Upon the league’s rebrand to become the RFU Championship in 2009, Pirates really begun to challenge for promotion, finishing in the runners up spots in both the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons.

Although there was a slight dip during the mid-2010s which saw them ending up in the mid-table positions, recently they have refound their form, with them finishing third in the last two seasons. Last year, Cornish only lost four matches (the same number as ourselves) but it was their two draws which saw them lose points despite their superb end to the campaign.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Travelling down to the Mennaye is always a tough ask for any opposition in the Championship and this weekend is no exception. Early defeats this year at Jersey Reds and Coventry and at home to Bedford Blues have been rectified and have seen the Pirates not lose in over a month and not lose at home in over two! Their recent 7-62 win at Richmond in particular proved the strength that they possess and it means this Saturday should be an exciting affair.

LAST TIME WE MET:

We faced Cornish Pirates three times last season, with each of us winning our home league games, it meant that the Championship Cup semi-final would be the decider.

We started the game well with Cam Terry crashing over on the back of a rolling maul, but Pirates answered back immediately through Rus Tuima.

The remainder of the first-half solely belonged to us, as Terry got his second, before Reuben Bird-Tulloch set up David Johnston and then Jordan Burns scored our fourth on the stroke of half-time.

With the score at the break being us 26-7 up, we always expected them to come back at us and despite two tries from the visitors, we secured our spot in the final as we ran out 36-26 victors.

FORM GUIDE:

Cornish Pirates:

W: Cornish Pirates 27-18 Ampthill (Sunday 20th November)

W: Caldy 7-26 Cornish Pirates (Saturday 12th November)

W: Richmond 7-62 Cornish Pirates (Saturday 5th November)

Ealing Trailfinders:

W: Ealing Trailfinders 22-13 Cornish Pirates (Saturday 19th November)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Nottingham 19-26 Ealing Trailfinders (Sunday 13th November)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Ealing Trailfinders 64-10 Hartpury (Sunday 6th November)

Click here to watch match highlights.