Cornish Pirates

Bristol v Doncaster Knights – Wednesday – 7.45pm

Bristol can nail down top spot in the Championship table if they beat Doncaster Knights in this re-arranged fixture at the Memorial Ground tonight.

The West Countrymen dismantled third-placed London Welsh in the capital on Saturday and despite their opponents winning at Bedford, will start as clear favourites this evening.

Bristol’s website reports, “The Knights are only one of two sides to have beaten Bristol in the 09/10 season, edging a 26-22 win at Castle Park. The home side will be looking to avenge that loss this evening and increase their lead at the top of the Championship table

For the mid-week fixture, Tom Arscott moves into fullback in replacement of brother Luke, while also in the backs, Dan Norton returns after his overseas duties with England Sevens

Robbie Shaw makes his third league start for Bristol, with Jason Spice named on the bench. Jack Adams comes into the starting XV alongside Junior Fatialofa in the centre

In the front row, David Blaney and Wayne Thompson show two changes from the team that beat London Welsh last weekend, while the second and back row remain unchanged

Unavailable due to injury: Sam Giddens, Josh Brown, Ed Barnes, Bertrand Bedes and Mark Davies

Bristol Rugby
Tom Arscott; Lee Robinson, Jack Adams, Junior Fatialofa, Dan Norton, Adrian Jarvis, Robbie Shaw; Mark Irish, David Blaney, Wayne Thompson, Nathan Budgett, Roy Winters, Iain Grieve, Redford Pennycook, James Phillips

Replacements
Ross Johnston, Mako Vunipola, Mariano Sambucetti, James Merriman, Jason Spice, Chris Ashwin, Luke Eves

Knights boss Lynn Howells was in bullish mood ahead of tonight`s match when he told the Sheffield Star,

“They didn't give us any respect when we played them at home. They'll respect us tonight after what happened at Castle Park; even more so following our win at Bedford on Saturday.”

He continued, "That was our fifth league and cup win in 13 days and the boys just keep raising the bar and producing better and better performances

"Although we want to keep run going, and take momentum into next month's play-offs, it will be a very difficult game tonight because there are a lot of tired bodies in the squad

"They (Bristol) will be smarting from the defeat - I know their coaches were very unhappy with the result - and they'll want to show that they can beat us. I expect them to come out and put on a big performance. They are a good all-round team. They have a big pack and they have also got a lot of pace along their back line."

Bedford Blues

Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer believes that his side’s home defeat against the Knights will serve them well in the long run.

He told Bedford Today, “We've been given us a bit of a bloody nose from this, but it could stand us in good stead for the play-offs."

Rayer continued, "We huffed and puffed, but we came up against a really good defence. They slowed the ball up at the tackle area which didn't help us, but we knew that was going to be the case.

"Our problem was that we weren't smart in our decision making. We had a good chance in the first half and took the wrong option and an interception try doesn't help matters

"It's frustrating because we had plenty of possession and we can't be faulted for effort.”

Nottingham

The announcement this week of a seven year ground-share deal between Nottingham and the new owners of Notts County FC has lifted the spirits of Glenn Delaney after watching his side get a mauling from the Cornish Pirates on Sunday.

After a year of uncertainty with the previous owners of the football club Nottingham Rugby can now stop worrying, it would seem, about the threat of eviction from their playing base and concentrate on building for the future.

Delaney told the Evening Post,

What it does for me and our business, it underpins the business and allows us to plan for the next seven years and where we can be and, ultimately, be a Premiership club.”

"The seven-year deal is nearly a career for most players and the reality is the deal will work. It's incredibly fair on both sides. It gives both sides the opportunity to take something from it on an equal footing."

Full story /www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/rugby

Plymouth Albion

Albion wing Liam Gibson has told the Herald that he is very happy with the way in which his all-round game has developed this season.

The 24 year old wing has been an ever present in all of Albion`s 21 Championship games this season and said, “I think I have been playing quite well. I have been pretty happy with myself.”

“I think my game has moved on a bit. I've been helping out the forwards more and stuff like that, so it's been going all right."

Full story www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/albion

British & Irish Cup – Aberavon 10 Moseley 0

In last night`s re-arranged Pool C fixture The Wizards climbed up to third place above Bedford Blues courtesy of two unconverted tries. Moseley remain winless and bottom of the group.

The Western Mail reports, “British and Irish Cup at the Talbot Athletic Ground last night.

A try in either half was enough to give them four points in their group, yet only brilliant tackling held Moseley at bay.

Aberavon led after only three minutes when flanker Marc Breeze crossed in the corner from a pass by scrum-half Dan Davies.

From there until half-time Aberavon held out with splendid defence led by back-row forward Justin Tipuric.

Towards the end of the game fly-half Jamie Murphy was just wide with a drop shot, but then made a brilliant run to send Tipuric over for a try.

Despite having two forwards sin-binned, Aberavon held out and gained a deserved victory.

Aberavon: Tries: M Breeze, J Tipuric