Having already named a number of fresh face signings for the player ranks next season, the Cornish Pirates have now confirmed that a Welshman, Brett Davey, will be the team's new Assistant Coach.

Born of English parents, Brett first played the game, aged 17, for Beddau Youth, from where he moved on and distinguished himself as a full-back with Bridgend, Maesteg, Caerphilly and Pontypridd.

In 1997-98, when with Caerphilly, he was the Welsh Leagues top points scorer, amassing 395 in the season, and in 2002 when playing for Pontypridd he scored all of his team's points in a 20-17 points Principality Cup Final win against Llanelli Scarlets. It was no surprise, perhaps, that it was often said that he could win games single-handed

When Welsh rugby was restructured, Brett played for Newport Gwent Dragons, before finishing his senior playing career with Bristol where he had a mightily impressive 90% kicking success rate.

One of many highlights as a player was scoring 21 points for Wales Development XV against the USA, but a full Welsh cap was to elude him, despite twice being a Wales senior squad member.

Returning to his rugby roots at Beddau in 2003, Brett's influence as their player/head coach culminated in them winning the Welsh Leagues East 1 title at the end of last season. There was hope and expectation that Beddau would be promoted to the Welsh Premiership, but the WRFU put a stopper on it, and Brett was furious, accepting then the opportunity to join Coventry as a specialist skills and backs coach.

Coventry's loss, it would appear, could prove the Cornish Pirates gain, as this WRU Level 3 qualified coach is keen to provide assistance to Mark Hewitt right away. On his arrival in Cornwall this week, Brett said:
"This appointment is a great honour in my career, it a role that I wish to fulfil with the passion and desire required by the whole of the Cornish Pirates and their supporters. I am really excited about the possibilities for the forthcoming season and genuinely look forward to meeting and speaking to you all."

As a player/coach, Cornish supporters had the opportunity to watch Brett in action when he played for Coventry at the Mennaye Field in January, that a Round 4 match against Mounts Bay in the EDF Energy National Trophy competition. The game itself was played in gale-force winds and torrential rain, with shrewd observers noting that it was an influential Brett who coaxed his young charges over a difficult hurdle. He had also, in August 2003, kicked four conversions for Newport Gwent Dragons in their 53-8 points win against the Pirates at the Mennaye Field - that a day when compatriot Steve Winn also impressed with a hat-trick.

Versatile Davey? Yes, without doubt - it interesting for all to note that Brett is the only person to have played in European competition at both rugby and football, as he played soccer for Ton Pentre in the Inter-Toto Cup in 1996!