Cornish Pirates

Cornish Pirates v Exeter Chiefs
Sunday October 7th Kick Off 3:00pm

There are a number of games in the season when interest levels are considerably heightened, with Sunday's fixture between the Cornish Pirates and Exeter Chiefs certainly one of them.

It has all the ingredients necessary - a near top of the table clash, a local derby, and much more besides - as the Pirates beat the Chiefs to win the EDF Energy National Trophy at Twickenham in April.

As Peter Drewett, Exeter's Director of Rugby, stressed succinctly: "Such games are ones that fully motivate everyone involved ."

Exeter will travel west across the Tamar unbeaten after five games, third-placed as leaders Northampton and second-placed Doncaster have extra bonus points.

There are four former Pirates named in their squad, brothers Mark and Alaifatu Fatialofa form the centre partnership, Dan Parkes is named at loose-head, whilst Wade Kelly is on the replacements bench.

New faces in Exeter's colours will include the half back pairing of Clive Stuart-Smith (ex Llanelli Scarlets) and Danny Gray (ex Bristol), plus several other experienced and very able performers.

One man about to make his debut for the Cornish Pirates is scrum-half Ed Fairhurst, who has just arrived in Cornwall from World Cup duty with Canada, whilst prop Alan Paver is selected at loose-head prop for his first league outing this season after having been injured in the 'friendly' against Leicester Tigers.

With full-back Adryan Winnan still not available for selection because of injury, there is another chance for Ollie Thomas - a debutant at Newbury - to impress once more.

A big crowd is expected at the Recreation Ground, Camborne, on Sunday (KO 3pm), its recommended that supporters arrive early to avoid congestion.

Last Time 29/10/07

Cornish Pirates
15 Ollie Thomas, 14 Brian Tuohy, 13 Paul Devlin, 12 Steve Winn, 11 Aliinu'u Koko
10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Tim Cowley (capt), 7 Iva Motusaga, 6 Chris Cracknell
5 Bruce Cumming, 4 Joe Beardshaw, 3 Dan Seal, 2 Nathan Kemp, 1 Alan Paver.

Replacements (from):
Rob Elloway, Peter Cook, Sam Heard, Scott Hobson, Eniola Gisende, Richard Bolt, James Moore, Rhodri McAtee, Nick Buckley.

Head Coach: Jim McKay.

Exeter Chiefs:
15 Gary Kingdom, 14 Jason Luff, 13 Mark Fatialofa, 12 Alaifatu Fatialofa, 11 Josh Drauninui
10 Danny Gray, 9 Clive Stuart-Smith, 8 Richard Baxter (capt), 7 Andy Miller, 6 Chad Slade
5 Lewis Stevenson, 4 James Hanks, 3 Craig Dunlea, 2 Saul Nelson, Dan Parkes.

Replacements (from):
Sam Blythe, John Andress, Shane Kingsland, Gary Willis, Tom Johnson, Tony Yapp, Wade Kelly, Kevin Barrett, Ben Breeze.

Director of Rugby: Peter Drewett

Referee:
Mark Wilson

Touch Judges:
Nigel Higginson & Mark Summerhayes

Last Time 29/10/06 Cornish Pirates 37 Exeter 20