London
Welsh v Cornish Pirates Saturday 6th December
Kick Off 2pm | |  |
This
is a match which both sides will look at as having that has an extra edge of importance,
as each will strive to overcome the disappointment of defeat last weekend. The
city side will be especially keen to pick themselves up after suffering two league
defeats on the trot, with the narrow 21-23 the result against Coventry last week
seeing them drop two league places down to sixth in National One. As for the eighth-placed
Pirates, they were disappointed that victory eluded them once more at the Brickfields,
it something that should act though as a spur ahead of their visit to Old Deer
Park. The Cornish Pirates XV names three players who were
not in last weeks' starting line-up, one of whom is in the pack. Frenchman Bertrand
Bedes comes back into the team at blind-side flanker, with Chris Morgan moving
across into the open-side berth. The man to step aside is Sam Betty, who having
been disciplined by the club, this week received a two weeks ban by the RFU following
his sending off in a recent Cornwall 'Super Cup' game played at Launceston. Iva
Motusaga, who has been in outstanding form this season, is still unavailable after
having returned to New Zealand to attend his father's funeral. In
the backs, Tom Luke is recalled at inside centre in place of Steve Winn, and Paul
Devlin replaces Jimmy Moore on the wing. Listed among the replacements are youngsters
Paul Andrew and Richard Bright, plus also Rhys Jones who has recovered from injury.
Adryan Winnan, who was unwell with a heavy cold a few weeks back, has now unfortunately
injured a shoulder. London Welsh have a full-time playing
squad for the very first time, and it is one that contains many useful players.
Ex England wing Paul Sampson is their most experienced performer, whilst summer
signing Aled Thomas, who was previously with Newport Gwent Dragons, tops their
points scoring list with 108. Jonathan Mills, who had a spell playing for Llanelli
Scarlets, is a good leader in their back-row, and he plays alongside former Newbury
'Blue' Tom Brown, who has impressed when playing against the Pirates in the past.
Up front, prop Aaron Liffchak, who has previously been on loan to the club from
Saracens, is now on a full-time contract. Having good Premiership
links, this is a time when a side like London Welsh can suddenly boost their strength,
it remembered that players the calibre of Dan Scarborough and Noah Cato featured
for them in matches last season. A game with an extra edge?
Yes, it really is likely, with the kick-off at Old Deer Park, Richmond, on Saturday
at 2pm. Cornish Pirates
M. Vakacegu, P. Devlin, M. Ireland, T.
Luke, B. Tuohy, S. Whatling, E. Fairhurst, M. Evans, C. Morgan, B. Bedes, B. Gulliver
(capt), H. Senekal, S. Heard, D. Dawidiuk, A. Paver. Replacements: P. Cook,
D. Seal, P. Andrew, M. Burak, R. Jones, S. Winn, R. Bright. |
