 |
| Paul
Devlin |  |
| Steve
Winn |  |
| Scott
Hobson |  |
| Richard
Bolt |
| Goldington
Road, Bedford, is a popular English rugby ground, but not one where the Pirates
have ever found it easy to play. Indeed,
they have lost there on three of their four previous visits, the last a hefty
41-10 defeat when an understrength side had little option but to play the 'Blues'
in a midweek match last April. Having won five games
on the trot, Mike Rayer's Bedford side should enter this game in fairly buoyant
mood, but will be aware also of the genuine threat that the Cornish Pirates pose.
Now fourth in the league, two places above their hosts,
the Pirates have had a seasonal early spring in their step these past two or three
weeks, playing with a flair and fashion that has given everyone a lift. The
Pirates team shows one forced change from the one that started against Esher last
Sunday. Centre Paul Devlin, the club's top try-scorer on 9, and who replaced an
injured Mark Ireland in the first half against the 'EEEs', retains his midfield
place alongside Steve Winn. Scott Hobson, who has a temporary
break from playing for England U20s in Six Nations, is named as a possible replacement,
as is young scrum-half Richard Bolt. When the two teams
met back at Camborne in October, the Pirates held on to win 19-18 in a tough,
physical encounter. The crowd was kept on edge right up
to the final whistle, with two second half penalties from man of the match Gareth
Steenson proving crucial. It was close then, and it is likely to be close again
on Saturday The Cornish Pirates selected
team as follows:- 15 Adryan Winnan, 14 Rhodri McAtee,
13 Paul Devlin, 12 Steve Winn, 11 Jimmy Moore, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Ed Fairhurst,
8 Tim Cowley (capt), 7 Iva Motusaga, 6 Chris Cracknell, 5 Bruce Cumming, 4 Heino
Senekal, 3 Dan Seal, 2 Rob Elloway, 1 Alan Paver. Replacements (from):
Peter Cook, Nathan Kemp, Scott Hobson, Matt Evans, Sam Betty
Ollie Thomas,
Brian Tuohy, Richard Bolt. |
