| 'Young Gun' Signings | | |
Squad
News
1st May 2008 | 3
Young Players Sign: 1 Fly-half/full-back. 1 Full-back/wing. 1 Prop With
the Cornish Pirates nearing completion of their squad for the 2008-09 season,
the signings this past week of three gifted young players has just been announced. Rhys
Jones, a fly-half/full-back, joins from Premiership side Sale Sharks. Recognising
the importance of giving opportunities for local young players who are identified
as having the potential to succeed as professional rugby players, the other two,
Richard Bright & Paul Andrew, follow in the footsteps of Sam Betty, Darren
Dawidiuk, Scott Hobson and Sam Parsons, who have all benefited from their involvement
with the Cornish Pirates. Richard Bright, Full-back/wing,
has been a member of the South West Rugby Academy at Ivybridge now transfering
to Truro College. Paul Andrew, Prop, joins from Mounts
Bay Commenting on the latest signings, Cornish Pirates
CEO, Rod Coward, said:
Rhys is a young man who has already played at a very
high level, his future clearly bright and this something that both Richard and
Paul have the chance to aspire to. We are delighted to have them on board."
|  | Rhys
Jones Rhys Jones, is a fly-half/full-back who joins
from Premiership side Sale Sharks. Highlights for Rhys
include making his Premiership debut for Sale Sharks, playing at full-back last
year against Gloucester, and also playing for Wales U19s in their 2006 'Grand
Slam' winning side. His rugby hero is Neil Jenkins, who
is described as, "a great role model", and one Rhys has been
fortunate to work with at various Welsh age group levels. Having
made a debut for Cardiff Blues against Munster, whilst on loan from Sale in February,
Rhys is looking forward to the challenges of next season, and keen to be part
of a team that he feels "has the potential to achieve great things." He
is the son of Phil Kingsley Jones, a former Wales captain and presently Head Coach
at Sale. His grandfather, Phil, has coached, managed and been a mentor to All
Blacks star Jonah Lomu. | |
| | Rhys
Jones - Profile | |
D.O.B | 23rd Aug 1987 | | Place
of Birth | Abergavenny | | Nationality |
Welsh | | Height |
5' 10" (1.78m) | | Weight |
14st 3lbs (90.3kg) | | Position | Fly-half/full-back | | Previous
clubs | Cardiff Blues and Sale
Sharks | | Representative
Honours | Wales Youth/U18/19/20s |
|
|  | Richard
Bright Richard first played rugby at U13s level for King's
School, Ottery St. Mary, as well as Exmouth RFC. He has
represented Devon at age groups from U15 to U20, and during this past season was
unlucky not to gain selection for England at 18 Group level, having played for
the South West U18s side. Richard who has been a member
of the South West Rugby Academy based at Ivybridge College, will now transfer
to Truro College to continue his rugby and educational development, whilst having
the opportunity to be part of the Cornish Pirates set up in the 2008/09 season. | |
| | Richard
Bright - Profile | |
D.O.B | 5th Jan 1990 | | Place
of Birth | Ipswich | | Nationality |
UK | | Height |
5'10" (1,78m) | | Weight |
12st 9lbs (80kg) | | Position | Full-back/wing | | Previous
clubs | Exmouth, Crediton | | Representative
Honours | Devon U15 to U20, South
West U18 |
|
|  | Paul
Andrew Cornwall has produced some fine prop forwards over the years, so
its no surprise that 19yr old Paul Andrew has already begun to make his mark. Having
played mini-junior rugby with St. Austell and then Truro, he progressed to captain
Truro College as a member of the South West of England Rugby Academy, and has
also played for the England Conference U18s squad team. A former pupil of
Roseland Community School, Paul scored a try when making his senior rugby debut
for Truro against Bude in March, 2007, and has particularly impressed when playing
in the successful Mounts Bay team that just ended this season as champions of
National Three (South). Appreciating the guidance given him by mentors
Robin Cowling and Ricky Pellow, he is excited at the prospect of joining the Cornish
Pirates, intending to "grab the opportunity with both hands." | |
| | Paul
Andrew - Profile | |
D.O.B | 14th Feb 1989 | | Place
of Birth | Truro | | Nationality |
Cornish | | Height |
6' 1" (1.85m) | | Weight |
18st 3lbs (115.67kg) | | Position | Prop | | Previous
clubs | St. Austell, Truro, Mounts
Bay | | Representative
Honours | Cornwall U20, England
Conference U18 |
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