Cornish Pirates

Unveiled at the Mennaye Field this week as a new Cornish Pirates Assistant Coach, specialising in scrummaging, was former county supremo Phil Angove who coached Cornwall to their last County Championship success when Cornwall beat Gloucestershire at Twickenham in 1999

The 51 year old retired policeman, a former Redruth, Exeter and Cornwall hooker, is someone who has a tremendous knowledge of the game and is held in high regard.

For supporters of the Cornish Pirates the main interest from last Saturday's Barclays Churchill Cup Finals day played out at Toyota Park, Chicago, was not England's achievement in winning the tournament by beating Scotland 'A', but in witnessing how 'their' players got on in the other two matches played.

Cornish Pirates winger Brian Tuohy impressed once more in his country's 33-8 points Plate Final win against an Argentina XV. In the Bowl Final, Cornish Pirate Ed Fairhurst's Canadian side, which included new signing Scott Franklin were 26-10 winners against the 'Eagles'.

There will be four Cornish Pirates players on international duty this Saturday 21 June, with three competing in America and one in Japan.

Wing Brian Tuohy keeps his place in the Ireland 'A' starting line-up that will face Argentina 'A' in the Barclays Churchill Cup Plate Final to be played at Toyota Park, Chicago, whilst at the same venue Ed Fairhurst (capt) and new signing Scott Franklin have again been named in the Canada side that will face the USA in the Bowl Final

There is no doubt that the close season gets shorter and shorter for rugby players.The squad reported back on Monday this week, to commence pre-season training for what is guaranteed to be a highly competitive 2008-09 National One season

Seven new faces present on Monday were lock Ben Gulliver, centre Tom Luke, flanker Chris Morgan, fly-half Rhys Jones, scrum-half Nicky Griffiths, prop Paul Andrew, and full-back/wing Richard Bright.

On the second Saturday in May it was a case of wedding bells ringing for popular Cornish Pirates back Jimmy Moore and his wife Clare, as the couple got married at Eaves Hall, Clitheroe, Lancashire.

All involved with the Pirates will be keen to wish the young couple all the very best for the future, as they will also to Jimmy's teammate Rhodri McAtee and his fiancee Hannah for whom wedding bells will similarly toll this coming weekend!

Marika Vakacegu was a replacement for Fiji in their Pacific Nations Cup opener against Manu Samoa. Played at Churchill Park, Lautoka.

Fiji emerged comfortable 34-17 points winners, with gifted Marika introduced to the game in the second half at inside centre.

E-mailing the club this week, Marika advises that the coaches are using him as a utility player, covering wing, full-back and centre.

For Cornish Pirates upporters, this year's Churchill Cup competition has been given added interest.

Honoured to have two players 'on show', it has since been confirmed that a third 'Pirate', Brian Tuohy, has also been selected on the wing for Ireland 'A' for their opening game to be played on Wednesday at the Richardson Stadium, Kingston, Ontario.

With the Cornish Pirates squad close to completion for the 2008-09 season, it has just been announced that two more international players will be joining their ranks.

The players concerned are Canadian prop Scott Franklin and Samoan international fly-half Doug Sanft, who are both expected to make a considerable impact.

Cornish Pirates winger Brian Tuohy, who has previously played for Munster and Ireland 7s, has been called into the Ireland 'A' team squad for this summer's 2008 Barclays Churchill Cup tournament to be held in the USA and Canada.

Due to compete in Pool 'A' is another 'Pirate' in the shape of gifted scrum-half Ed Fairhurst. First capped for Canada in 2001.

3 Young Guns Sign