Cornish Pirates

The Cornish Pirates have continued a busy week of signings by announcing another new players, as well as two additions to the club’s backroom staff.

Earlier this week coach Jim McKay brought in Samoan international winger Gasolo Salima and Newcastle Falcons prop Grant Anderson – and today the Australian has raided another Guinness Premiership side with the capture of Henry Barratt from newly-promoted NEC Harlequins.

A centre/wing, Barratt made his Harlequins debut against South African Super 14 side ‘The Sharks’ in February 2003 and was named the club’s ‘Young Player of the Year’ that same season.

In 2004 he played for England Under-21s in the IRB World Championships, showing considerable potential, before then sadly suffering a knee injury last year which restricted him to just eight appearances in the 2005-06 season.

Having worked hard to regain full fitness, Barratt – who stands at 6’1 and weighs in at just iver 14 stone – further strengthens what is looking to be a strong and exciting three-quarter line, one to provide Cornish rugby supporters with high-level rugby entertainment.

Meanwhile, it is not just on the playing front where new faces will be seen. The Pirates have also confirmed the appointment of forwards coach Mark Hewitt and physiotherapist Tom Bradley.

Hewitt, a 46-years-old former Royal Marine from Kent, played in the back-row for Plymouth Albion, Devon, and the Combined Services, before later taking up a post with the South-West England Rugby Academy (SWERA) based at Ivybridge Community College.

He will be arriving in Penzance from Gloucester later in the month, having been an RFU Academy Manager there. Commenting on the forthcoming move Hewitt said he was “looking forward to the challenge of both pursuing and fulfilling the ambitions of the Cornish Pirates.”

Bradley, who is just 28, previously held a part-time position with NEC Harlequins and worked for a private physiotherapy practice in London, whilst he has also worked with the Great Britain Rowing squad.