Cornish Pirates

Pirates Sign International Pair

Squad News
March 26th 2008

Canadian prop Scott Franklin & Samoan international fly-half Doug Sanft Join Crew

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.

Scott Franklin Before becoming a professional rugby player, Scott attended Notre Dame College, Saskatchewan, where he won awards at both gridiron football and ice hockey. Originally a flanker, he played for Regina Prairie Fire and the Victorian Crimson Tide in the Rugby Canada Super League, and was also a graduate of the Pacific Sport U23 Academy.

His main senior rugby in Canada was played with Castaway Wanderers RFC, and he toured New Zealand with Canada 'A' in 2006.

In 2007, Scott gained his first senior cap for Canada, and in the same year joined Top 14 French Championship side Brive, from where he joins the Cornish Pirates.

He has also, along with Ed Fairhurst, been selected for Canada in this month's Churchill Cup competition.

Doug Sanft

Doug, aged 29, he is a proven goalkicker who has played at a high level in New Zealand's NPC competition, and also starred in Spain's Copa de SM El Rey final, scoring 21 points for CRC Madrid in their 36-31 points victory against El Salvador.

Born in Wellington, Doug's family moved to Samoa when he was nine months old, but returned to New Zealand ) when he was 11. He attended the Marist Brothers School in Apia, before completing his education at De La Salle College, Auckland.

He played at fly-half through the rugby grades, including 3 years in the college 1st XV, besides participating in other rugby sports such as sevens, league, touch and tag.

Rugby has always been an interest, having followed his uncles Peter & David Schuster who represented Samoa & John Schuster an 'All Blacks' star. Doug's older brother Quintan is presently a Development Officer and Coach at Scottish club Kirkcaldy & represented NZ Secondary Schools and has played for Manu Samoa.

Doug, who was denied the chance to play for Samoa in last year's Rugby World Cup because of a broken bone in his hand, is looking forward to joining the Pirates, commenting: "This is a fresh challenge for me, and one which I'll give of my best to achieve the goals of the club. I enjoy my rugby, and will enjoy this new experience."