Under the expert tutelage of former Leicester and Gloucester prop Robin Cowling, the South West Rugby Academy manager, youngsters are now being given the ideal opportunity to develop their careers on home soil.

No longer is the situation like that of days gone by. Whereas in the past players such as Vickery, Woodman, Thirlby and Voyce were forced to leave home to move on, up-and-coming Cornishman are now reaping their rewards without the hassle of extensive travel and time away from familiar surroundings.

Already the results are bearing fruit with the Cornish Pirates now being able to field the first seedlings of their academy process. Sam Betty, Scott Hobson and Owen Hambly have all featured in National One this term, while powerhouse prop Sam Heard is another who has grown under the guidance of Cowling.

The conveyor belt does not stop there, however. Local clubs such as Redruth and Camborne are also benefiting with the next batch of rising stars being loaned out to them for league duty.

Hooker Darren Dawidiuk has been in scintillating form for the Reds in National League Two this season, while both Mike Provis and Mike Rawlings have helped to bring a new dimension to Camborne's play in the South West Leagues.

"The benefits of these deals are massive," explains Cowling. "It's not only a good scenario for the Pirates, but it's good for the players themselves and for the clubs they are going to.

"To give these young lads the opportunity of playing senior rugby on a weekly basis rather than just Academy games every other week, is certainly a win-win situation for all of us.

"If you take Mike Provis for example, you can see the strides he is making this season. His game is improving all the time and he's now able to cope with the pressure so much more."

Cowling added: "Last season Scott Hobson did very well at Redruth and now Darren Dawidiuk is doing the same, which is great news. If you look at the Academy, all our lads have great potential, so it's important that we give them the opportunities to develop and build on that as best as possible."

Certainly the increase in fixtures for the Pirates Academy is also playing it's part, the latest of which saw the Cornishmen slip to a narrow 17-13 defeat to Bath's Under-20s side at the Mennaye Field.