Squad News
December 12th 2007

Ireland's Arrival A Signal Of Intent

Fourth-placed in National One at the halfway point of this season, the Cornish Pirates have made their intentions clear of at least finishing runners-up to Northampton Saints by this week announcing that they have acquired the services of Mark Ireland from Premiership side London Irish.

A strong running centre or wing, Mark is well-known to the Cornish Pirates, having impressed against them in the past when he was at Newbury.

The 25 year old, who was capped by England at 16 and 18 Group levels, and has also played for Harlequins, learned his rugby at Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, before going to Brunel University where he studied Communications and Media Studies.

Head Coach, Jim McKay, commented:

"We have felt for sometime that Mark is someone who could do a job for us. He is big, strong, and deceptively fast, a piece of the jigsaw that could easily fit to enable us to achieve our goals.

We tried hard to sign him during the close season, but not surprisingly, being a talented and ambitious player he took the opportunity of a short-term contract at London Irish. It might be a second attempt, but we are delighted to acquire his services."

A former playing colleague of Chris Cracknell's at both Harlequins and Newbury, Mark made six appearances for the Exiles team since arriving the Madejski Stadium in July.

He will be on loan to the Cornish Pirates until the 31st. December, when it is then planned to sign him to the end of the season.