Cornish Pirates

Exeter v Cornish Pirates
Saturday 24th February kick Off 1500

EXETER'S Director of Rugby Pete Drewett believes the first-ever visit of the Cornish Pirates to Sandy Park tomorrow (3pm) offers his Chiefs side the perfect opportunity to gauge just how much progress they have made in recent months.

Not since mid November have Drewett's in-form outfit tasted defeat - their 12-match unbeaten run guiding them not only into National One's top six, but also the last eight of the EDF Energy National Trophy.

Tomorrow, though, that run will be put to the test, according to the Chiefs coach. "It's a massive game for both sides," said Drewett last night. "The Cornish Pirates are going so well at the moment and we've had a really good run in 2007, but this is going to be our toughest test of this year so far.

"You only need look at their side to see the quality and the strength they have in it. The Pirates pack has done well all season; their nine and ten [Gavin Cattle and Alberto Di Bernardo] are a cracking pair of half-backs; then behind they have real pace, skill and experience in their back line.

"They did a job on us down there and they've just beaten Leeds , the league leaders, in the Cup so I'm sure they are going to come at us."

However, a lot has changed since the sides last did battle at Camborne back in late October. On that occasion the Pirates triumphed 37-20, but there are many who believe this latest rematch will be a much tighter affair.

"I think both sides have improved since we last played," added Drewett. "Both sides have different styles, both in attack and defence, so it will be important to not only assert your own game early on, but also adapt to the opposition as quick as possible.

"Their ten [Di Bernardo] is a real danger as he has the ability to get them territory and put them in scoring opportunities. And, as I said, they have a really good combination either through their forwards or their backs."

With a bumper crowd expected to descend on Exeter's new multi-million pound home, Drewett believes tomorrow's encounter will live up to all the derby hype.

"These games are what it is all about," said the Chiefs coach. "Saturday is not only a big occasion for South West rugby, but if you look at the games this weekend, this is probably the biggest game in our division. I know we are expecting a big crowd for the match, so it's exciting for everyone and hopefully it will be a great game."

Rival coach Jim McKay is equally upbeat about tomorrow's cross-Tamar showdown. The Aussie said: "We're really looking forward to the game. Going to the new ground and playing Exeter , it's going to be fantastic, but we have a job to do up there. "We have real respect for Exeter , they're a very good side, but so are we and we'll be looking to go up there and get a win." Not surprisingly, McKay sticks with the same starting line-up which defeated Leeds at Headingley a fortnight ago. A last-gasp try from prop Alan Paver, converted by Di Bernardo, gave the Cornish club a memorable 18-17 victory in Yorkshire and the Pirates coach is keen to build on that success. "That was a very big win for us, but that's in the past now," added McKay. "We need to look forward and that means looking to Saturday and taking on Exeter ."

Coach Jim McKay

McKay believes his side's enforced rest break has been beneficial, but the proof will be in the pudding come the final whistle tomorrow.

"There are pros and cons to having a break like that," he added. "It's allowed us to have a bit of a breather and shake off one or two knocks, but at the same time we haven't played now for two weeks. If I'm honest, the pros probably outweigh the cons. All I'm looking for is a big performance from our guys, it's as simple as that."

Although the visiting starting line-up remains unchanged, there are additions to the bench where Sam Heard, James Inglis and Steve Winn replace Grant Anderson, Scott Hobson and Lewis Vinnicombe.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, also make slender amendments to their line-up to that which gained a winning draw against Bedford in the Trophy last Saturday.

Former Pirate Dan Parkes returns at loosehead in place of Richard Liddington after being cup-tied last week, while Wade Kelly, another to have donned the Red, White and Black of the Pirates in the past, comes in for Junior Fatialofa at centre.

No doubt both will be relishing the opportunity of tackling their former club. Indeed, Drewett said of his changes: "Dan has made a massive impact since he joined us and so has Wade, who has been on fire over the last few weeks. I'm sure both will enjoy playing the Pirates, but I think I can say all our lads are looking forward to playing the Pirates."

On the bench, Saul Nelson - another who was cup-tied a week ago - returns in place of Stephen Bennett, while Tom Bedford takes over the place vacated by Kelly.

Pirates:
A Winnan; R McAtee, D Roke, D Bell, J Hylton; A Di Bernardo, G Cattle (capt); A Paver, V Ma'asi, D Seal
H Senekal, J Beardshaw; S McKeen, I Motusaga, T Cowley.

Adryan Winnan	Rhodri McAtee	Duncan Roke	Duncan Bell	Jonny Hylton
Alberto Di Bernardo	Gavin Cattle (Capt)	Alan Paver	Viliami Ma’asi	Dan Seal
Heino Senekal	Joe Beardshaw	Stan McKeen	Iva Motusaga	Tim Cowley

Replacements: S Heard, N Makin, J Inglis, M Evans, R Wells, S Winn , J Moore.

Sam Heard	Nick Makin	James Inglis	Matt Evans	Rhodri Wells
	James Moore	Steve Winn

Chiefs:
B Breeze; J Luff, M Fatialofa, W Kelly, G Kingdom; T Yapp, K Barrett; D Parkes, S Blythe, J Horn-Smith; I Brown, J Hanks; T Walker, G Willis, R Baxter (capt). Replacements: S Nelson, R Liddington, C Slade, A Miller, R Bolt, A Staniforth, T Bedford .

TICKETS for tomorrow's match can still be booked through Exeter 's official website
or either visiting the ticket office at Sandy Park between 10am and 5pm, or by phoning (01392) 890890

Tickets booked after Wednesday either online or over the phone will have to be collected from the official ticket office from 12 noon onwards.

Ticket Information:
Undercroft and Corner Flag Stands - Adult £16, Student £10, Children Under-16 £8;
East Covered Standing Terrace - Adults £14, Under-18's £7;
Ground -- Adult £12, Student £5, Children Under-16 £2.