Falcons & Pirates Link - 24/07/07

Story By Mark Stevens

CORNISH Pirates coach Jim McKay used a newly-formed friendship with Newcastle Falcons counterpart John Fletcher to help in bolstering his squad ahead of the new National League One season.

McKay and Fletcher met recently at a coaching course, where the two discussed the idea of a link-up between the clubs. A few weeks down the line and that relationship has delivered it's first development with the arrival of three Falcons to Cornwall on short-term loan deals.

Forwards Eniola Gesinde, Ed Williamson and Johnny Williams were all paraded to the media at the Pirates' training base at the Mennaye Field yesterday, much to the delight of McKay.

The Australian believes their arrival will not only offer yet more proven quality to his squad, but will also help add depth and competition within the Cornish ranks as they look to make their mark this season.

"With Stan McKeen and Heino Senekal away until October because of World Cup duty, plus one or two little injuries, these new guys will definitely add something to the squad," said McKay. "At the moment they have come to us on a short-term loan, but that will be reviewed at a later stage.

"At this moment of time we're very happy to have them on board. They come to us from a Premiership side and they are all very good rugby players. We expect them to not only bring depth and quality to the squad, but to push the other guys very hard for that starting spot each week."

Nigerian-born Gesinde is a versatile forward who can play not only in the second-row, but also the back-row. He has captained the Falcons development team on a number of occasions and has been a member of the extended England Sevens squad. He made his Falcons first team debut in a 44-20 defeat of Saracens last September.

	Flanker Williamson is a product of Barnard Castle School, an educational establishment which has produced many fine rugby players, such as the Underwood brothers and former Falcons boss Rob Andrew. His honours include having represented the North Under-18s and England at Under-19 21 levels.

Completing the trio is prop Williams, who joined the Falcons full-time senior academy squad in 2005, having played for their development team in previous years. As well as appearances for the Falcons academy front-row in 2004-05, Williams also played for his local club Tynedale, besides representing Northumberland in the County Championship, from where he was selected for the England Counties squad that toured Argentina and Uruguay.

Promoted to Newcastle' first team squad in 2006, he has played for the Falcons in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, the Challenge Cup, as well as the Guinness Premiership.

The trio are just the latest additions to a Pirates squad which has been heavily strengthened over the summer by McKay, who is delighted with the squad he has assembled for the new campaign. "I'm very happy with the players we've brought in," said McKay. "A lot of hard work has been put in, not only by myself but also Dicky Evans [president], Rod Coward [chief executive] and the rest of the management team." We've been very specific in the people we've looked to bring in. They are all very good rugby players, but they are also really hungry to do well and they want to improve themselves, which is what we are all about. Commenting on the latest loan signing, Rod Coward (CEO) added: "The Cornish Pirates are delighted to have signed these three quality young players from Newcastle Falcons. I look forward to developing a relationship with the Premiership club, which will bring more players of high quality to the Cornish Pirates."

Cornish Pirates Coach Jim McKay