Cornish Pirates

The Pirates can now confirm that bulky Canadian prop forward Iain Exner is the latest addition in the continuing squad strengthening for next season.

As a youngster Iain's dream was to play ice hockey in the NHL. However, soon after taking up rugby, that then became his obsession, and at the age of 16 he changed his goal from playing in the NHL to playing for the Canadian rugby team.

On leaving school Iain moved from the mountainous region of the West Kootenays to Vancouver, where he went to trade school for fabrication and welding, and played rugby for Burnaby Lake RFC.

After 2 years he moved to Australia for more experience, playing for Gold Coast Breakers alongside former 'Pirate' prop Grant Anderson.

With a Scottish mother and a grandfather founder of Ross Sutherland RFC, it was no surprise that a spell playing for Melrose followed, he was then asked to play for Pacific Pride. During his two years at 'Pride', which was Canada's U23s development team, he spent the close season fighting forest fires to help finance his rugby.

Making a move to Castaway Wanderers in Victoria, Iain was selected to play for Canada in 2005, making his debut propping against England A's Perry Freshwater in the Churchill Cup. It was a sporting highlight, but he and his family were dealt a blow when Iain's brother Willie died at just 24 years of age

After touring New Zealand with the Canadian team in 2006, there was a return to firefighting and playing for Castaways Wanderers, with there also a strong wish to train hard and develop further in memory of his late brother.

Iain had the opportunity to play for Pau in France with his good friend Mike Burak, another Pirate-to-be. Interestingly, his introduction to French rugby was short-lived, when, at his own admission, he was sucker-punched in the first 15 seconds and issued a 'carton jaune' for retaliation!

Iain and his wife Alison are looking forward to their move to Cornwall, having heard nothing but praises about the people and the place. Iain commented: "My aim next season is to help the Cornish Pirates win National One and get promotion to the Premiership, which demands that I work hard and give of my very best to achieve this goal as a Pirate."

Iain qualifies for a European passport through his Scots mother.