Cornish Pirates

THE rugby season may be drawing to an end for another year, but the Cornish Pirates are continuing at pace their planning for next year's National One campaign.

Head coach Jim McKay has already been busy recruiting bringing in Duncan Bell (Newbury), James Moore (Coventry), Rhodri Wells (Ospreys) and Redruth pair Lewis Vinnicombe and Sam Heard.

However, the Australian's summer squad strengthening was bolstered yet further yesterday when he welcomed Canadian international Stanley McKeen, Italian fly-half Alberto Di Bernardo, centre Steve Winn and flanker Chris Cracknell into his first-team ranks.

It takes the Pirates' new signings to nine, as well as the seven youngsters who have joined from the Truro-based South West Rugby Academy last month.

It's certainly been a busy time for McKay, who has also confirmed the club have agreed a new one-year deal with Tongan international hooker Vili Ma'asi, who joined the Pirates in 2001.

Heading the list of yesterday's new arrivals is 24-year-old McKeen, who joins the Cornish club from club side Pacific Pride. The 6ft 4in, 16½ stone back-row forward has won 13 caps for Canada after making his international debut against the USA in 2004.
Fly-half Di Bernardo, 25, is another with an impressive track record having played in the European Challenge Cup for Italian side L'Aquila, as well as representing the Azzurri's 'A' side.
Although Pirates fans are unlikely to have seen either McKeen or Di Bernardo in action, they will have seen both Winn and Cracknell tackling their new employers in the past.
Welsh A international Winn, 28, was a centre in the Newport-Gwent Dragons side that visited the Mennaye twice for pre-season friendlies, while Cracknell was a leading figure in Newbury's first year in National League One this season.
The all-action back-row forward, who is a former England Under-21 international, topped the Blues try-scoring charts this season with 10 tries and is a former Sevens team-mate of current Pirate Rhodri McAtee.