Cornish Pirates

Jim McKay’s planning for next season is continuing apace with the news that seven of the county’s aspiring young rugby players have signed onto the books of the National League One club.

Just a year after the Cornish club signed up Sam Betty, Adam Nicholls, Simon Peters and Owen Hambly as their first intake of Academy players, the Pirates have now looked to bolster their ranks with seven members of the SWERA (South West of England Rugby Academy), who attend Truro College.

The seven are prop Gareth Tedstone, scrum-half Lewis Webb, hooker Darren Dawiduik, lock Scott Hobson, back-row forward Mike Rawlings, centre Sam Parsons and fly-half Mike Provis, all of whom featured in the highly successful Truro College squad that recently lifted the British Colleges Cup title for the first time ever with a 37-0 victory over Filton College (Bristol) at Castlecroft.

Already McKay has shown that he is not afraid to give youth a chance with Betty, Nicholls and Peters all featuring for the Pirates first team this season.

A club spokesman said: “It is felt that if talent such as this can be nurtured and kept in the county for the next few years, then it would increase the chance of these players making it to the top, and hopefully with the Cornish Pirates.”

SWERA Academy manager Robin Cowling, the former Gloucester and Leicester prop, has been working closely with the Pirates in helping blood Cornish rugby’s top youngsters in their quest to progress within the modern-day game.

Cowling said: “As an Academy we have been absolutely thrilled by the progress made by Sam Betty, Adam Nicholls, Simon Peters and Owen Hambly this season. The work we've done with them at Truro College has obviously helped bring them up to speed, but they've all built to their games working with the Pirates on a regular basis."

Like Cowling, coach McKay is keen for more of Cornwall's up-and-coming rugby players to follow a similar path, adding: "I think the progress that the players have shown this season has been excellent - and I think it sends out a very good message to Cornish youngsters who are keen on rugby. With a full-time side in the county there is now that opportunity for good young players to develop and move on within the game."