Cornish Pirates

NEW signing Duncan Bell says he is relishing running out for the Cornish Pirates next season after sealing his move from National League One rivals Newbury.

The dynamic centre is one of five new recruits Pirates coach Jim McKay has already made for next season's title push. Bell joins James Moore, Rhodri Wells, Sam Heard and Lewis Vinnicombe in signing up for the 2006/07 campaign.

More new faces are expected to be added to McKay's plans in the coming weeks and months ahead, but for now Bell - who will see out the current season with Newbury - is looking to the future.

"I'm really looking forward to joining the Pirates," said the New Zealander, who featured for Newbury in Saturday's 36-24 defeat to Exeter Chiefs. "They are a top side and are a club who are looking to go places.

"I've had two really good years at Newbury, [coach] Ben Ryan has helped steer me in the right direction and I've picked up a few good tips from him.

"As a player, though, you always want to improve and I see moving to the Pirates as a good step for me and my career. Like I said, they are a top side who are playing very well. The system they have seems to work very well and hopefully they can build on that for next season."

A regular in the Newbury side over the past two seasons, the 26-year-old arrived in England having played his rugby in New Zealand for the Counties Manukau NPC side, as well as featuring in the Chiefs Super 12 Development squad. He was also named in the Nike New Zealand Youth squad that toured England, Ireland and Canada in 2000/01 season.

"I enjoy rugby over here, it's a really good standard" added Bell, who admits he already knows current Pirates Tim Cowley and Iva Motusaga.

"I've heard the people in Cornwall really love their rugby. They say it's another country down there, but it'll be great having big crowds behind you. Like I said, I'm looking forward to next season, it should be really good."