CORNISH Pirates coach Jim McKay admits he and
his side are happy to take on the tag of underdogs for Sunday's showdown with
National League One leaders NEC Harlequins (3pm).
A 6,000 sell-out
is expected at Kenwyn for a game not only Pirates supporters, but Cornish rugby
followers alike, have been waiting for since the publication of the league fixtures
back in August of last year.
Like
those supporters, Sunday's encounter cannot come quick enough for McKay and his
team, who are not only looking to make up for their surprise defeat at Sedgley
Park a fortnight ago, but also make some kind of amends for their 50-6 reverse
to the Quins back in November.
"We've got a few things to prove,
not only to ourselves, but also to our supporters," said McKay yesterday. "Obviously
we want to try and erase the memories of our game up at Harlequins, which was
very disappointing, but at the same time we were really disappointed with our
performance at Sedgley Park and want to show we are a much better team than what
we showed that day.
"That said, Sunday won't be easy. Harlequins
have shown this season they are by far the best team in the division. They have
some very good players in their squad and they have been very consistent throughout
the season, something we haven't been. They also have great strength in depth.
"We learnt a great deal from our game up at their place and we are
under no illusions about this weekend and how tough it's going to be. Sure we'll
enter into the game as underdogs, but that's no bad thing from our point of view.
"Unlike the first game where I felt there was a lot of expectations
on us to do well that day, this time perhaps it is more anticipation, rather than
expectation. That's a big difference in terms of the psychology of everything."
McKay added: "Our aims this week have been pretty specific in how
we're going to approach the game. Our mindset in training has been about making
sure we perform to a decent standard and ask questions of the opposition.
"Everything is set up nicely for Sunday, but we have to go out and play.
As I've said before, there is no hiding place out on a rugby field and if you
don't perform, you'll soon get found out.
"They'll ask a lot of questions
to our boys this weekend, but I'm confident we can have the answers and also put
together a performance that shows what we are capable of."
The Pirates
coach says he and his team can take heart from the recent performance put up by
the Exeter Chiefs against the Quins at the County Ground. That day the Devon club
triumphed 13-8, inflicting a first - and only - defeat on Dean Richards' side
this season.
With Gavin Cattle, Rhodri McAtee, Matt Evans, Nick Makin,
Iva Motusaga, Wes Davies and Peter Ince all pledging their immediate futures to
the Cornish club this week, the Pirates have been handed a timely lift ahead of
what is their biggest fixture of the season to date.
Team news for
the Pirates sees Dan Parkes brought into the front-row for Nick Adams, while behind
Lee Jarvis starts at fly-half, Wes Davies partners Wade Kelly in the centre and
Duncan Roke is back at full-back after injury.
Pirates:
D Roke; R Welding, W Davies, W Kelly, K James; L Jarvis, G Cattle (capt); A Paver,
N Makin, D Parkes; H Senekal, J Beardshaw; J Bearman, S Betty, T Cowley. Replacements:
V Ma'asi, N Adams, S Hockings, M Evans, N Chivers, T Barlow, R McAtee.
SUPPORTERS attending Sunday's clash have been advised by Pirates
officials to arrive at the ground as early as possible. Gates will open at midday,
with a £1 a pint 'Happy Hour' planned from 12.30-1.30pm, whilst on the field a
'Tag' rugby exhibition will be taking place involving schools from Truro, Redruth,
Saltash and Launceston.
Also, the popular Falmouth Marine Band are
scheduled to make an appearance, as are the Cadgwith Singers, who will be entertaining
both before and after the match.
The club's Park & Ride scheme will
again be in operation on Sunday from the Cattle Market, Viaduct, High Cross, Old
Bridge Street and Truro College Car parks. The service, which will commence at
11.45pm, will also be picking up from Truro railway station.
