Dan
Seal Dan is the longest serving present member of the
Cornish Pirates squad, making his debut for us on the 1st September, 2001, an
occasion when we beat Blackheath 58-15 at the Mennaye Field. A
Frome boy, he started playing rugby for the Somerset town club at the age of six,
and also played a little football as a goalkeeper - his dad Tony had played soccer
for Maiden Bradley. On leaving Frome Community College at
the age of 16, Dan trained to become a mechanic and continued playing rugby for
Frome, a club where his brother Chris plays and that has also produced Northampton
Saints centre Jon Clarke. After being 'spotted' playing
for Somerset Colts at the age of 18, Dan was invited to play for the Bath U19s
team, coached then by former Pirates hooker John Kimberley. He then progressed
to the U21s team, coached by Jon Callard, playing also for South-West U21s before
his move to the Pirates. Quietly efficient, Dan has now
played a total of 161 games for the club, more than any other member of the squad,
and he has also played six times for Cornwall (2004-06). Sound
at the scrummage, he comes into his own in loose play, and has good hands and
mobility which also enables him to be effective at the tackle area. His impact
as a replacement when we beat Exeter Chiefs in the 2007 EDF Energy National Trophy
final at Twickenham was immense, helping to turn the screw on our opponents with
vengeance as they wilted in the sun. Improving year by year,
as was witnessed during 2007-08 when he made 30 appearances in the season, Dan's
contribution to our success has been considerable, with support always given by
his family. A jubilant try-scorer in our emphatic 63-36
points win against Doncaster, he really has been at the top of his game, and has
the ability to play at a high level for a good few years yet. | 
