Cornish Pirates

CORNISH Pirates coach Jim McKay believes the strides made by three of the club's fledgling stars of the future can act as the perfect incentive for more rugby-mad youngsters within the Duchy to progess within the sport.

South West Academy players Sam Betty, Adam Nicholls and Simon Peters have all tasted first team action with the National One club this season - and the talented trio are all named in McKay's 22-man squad for tomorrow's testing trip to Otley.

McKay, together with Robin Cowling - the South West England Rugby Academy manager - have been delighted with the progression the trio have shown this term, particularly that of Betty who is poised to make his sixth competitive start of the season for the Pirates at Cross Green.

"The boys have done very well," said McKay yesterday. "They have really come of age this season, but they know they still have some way to go. Training full-time with us has obviously helped them progress a lot, but Robin Cowling has done a great deal with them through the Academy."

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."

It is a point echoed by Cowling, the highly-experienced former Leicester Tigers and Gloucester prop. He said: "As an Academy we're thrilled to see the way they have all progressed, including Owen Hambly whose been a bit unlucky because of the size of the Pirates squad.

"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."

Tomorrow Betty lines-up in a Pirates side that shows two changes from that which was beaten by league leaders Harlequins in front of a sell-out 6,000 crowd last Sunday.

Into the side come, prop Dan Seal and back Matt Jess with Dan Parkes and Wes Davies the men making way. Seal's inclusion is a straight swap at tight-head, while Jess comes in at full-back with Duncan Roke switching from the number 15 jersey to outside centre alongside Wade Kelly.

International Sevens duty in Hong Kong means Welshman Rhodri McAtee is unavailable, his place is taken by Peters, while Nicholls comes onto the bench for the promoted Jess.

Certainly McKay knows his side face a tough test in Yorkshire tomorrow. Otley head into the game on the back of successive victories over Plymouth Albion and the Pertemps Bees, while the Pirates are looking to bounce back after successive defeats to Sedgley Park and Harlequins.

"I like Otley it's a real traditional rugby club," said McKay yesterday. "That said, it's a pretty hostile place come kick-off and we are under no false illusions about how tough the game is going to be.

"They have a very strong pack, a good catch-and-drive game, and have two very good half-backs who like to control the game and field position. As I've said before, there are no easy games in this division and we know we will have to be our best if we want to get anything this weekend.

"Obviously the boys were very disappointed after the Harlequins game, but we have to get on with it and back into the saddle this weekend. We put in a lot of effort last weekend, but Harlequins are a top side and they made it tough for us.

"We've had a good week preparing for this game and hopefully we can come home with the right result."

Pirates: M Jess; R Welding, D Roke, W Kelly, K James; L Jarvis, G Cattle (capt); A Paver, N Makin, D Seal; H Senekal, J Beardshaw; J Bearman, S Betty, T Cowley. Replacements: D Parkes, V Ma'asi, S Hockings, M Evans, A Nicholls, N Chivers, S Peters.