Cornish Pirates

Cornish Pirates v Exeter Chiefs
Sunday 7th February 2010
KICK OFF 2PM

Ahead of this weekend's Championship 'derby' match, a quick check of the record books reveals that the Pirates last win against second-placed Exeter Chiefs was in October '07, when Jimmy Moore's injury time try caused the 'Rec' to well and truly rock!

Since then, however, the Pirates have sadly lost four consecutive games against their Devon rivals, which should provide more than enough incentive to get one back on Sunday.

Lock Ben Gulliver, who will lead the Cornish Pirates for the second match on the trot, will have a fit again Luke Collins as his second-row partner, whilst in the front-row prop Scott Franklin is given a starting role. Matt Evans comes into the side at No. 8, with Sam Betty and Blair Cowan the chosen flankers.

Changes in the outsides from the team that ran out at Goldington Road last week show Jonny Bentley returning at fly-half, with Mark Ireland and Nick Jackson selected at centre and wing respectively, where both featured as replacements at Bedford.

One player deserving of some rest is named replacement Rob Cook, who has not missed a minute of play since the beginning of October.

The visiting Chiefs have named a strong side, including former Edinburgh and Scotland 'A' full-back Steve Jones, who made his debut for the Devon club last week. Gareth Steenson, who missed Exeter's game against Nottingham because of illness, returns at fly-half, and there is pace a plenty out wide in another former 'Pirate', Matt Jess, and ex Gloucester wing Mark Foster.

Tommy Hayes, a lock who played alongside Ben Gulliver during their days at Plymouth Albion, will skipper the Chiefs, and hooker Neil Clark is lined up to make his 100 th appearance for the club.

When the two teams met at Sandy Park in November, many thought that a convincing home win was on the cards, but it was not the case. Yes, the Chiefs deserved their victory on the day, but at 22-15 there was not much in it, as is likely to be the case this weekend.

Cornish Pirates:
W. Davies, R. McAtee, P. Devlin, M. Ireland, N. Jackson
J. Bentley, J. Doherty, M. Evans, S. Betty, B. Cowan,
B. Gulliver (capt), L. Collins, S. Franklin, R. Elloway, R. Storer.

Replacements:
P. Andrew, D. Ward, C. Rimmer, R. Labuschagne, T. Holmes, G. Cattle, R. Cook.

Exeter Chiefs:
S. Jones, M. Jess, N. Sestaret, B. Rennie, M. Foster
G. Steenson, C. Stuart-Smith, R. Baxter,A. Miller, C. Slade
T. Hayes (capt), J. Hanks, C. Budgen, N. Clark, B. Sturgess.

Replacements:
S. Blythe, H. Tui, D. Gannon, J. Scaysbrook, H. Thomas, D. Gray, M. Cornwell.

Referee: Rowan Kitt (RFU)
Assistants: Steve Leyshon & Nigel Higginson

Match Day Sponsor: Connaught PLC

Match Ball Sponsor: Winter Rule

Arrive Early And Beat The Queues

Kick-off on Sunday is at 2pm – it advisable for supporters to arrive early to avoid traffic congestion.

Also, by arriving early it'll provide an opportunity to listen to the pre-match entertainment being provided by the excellent Camborne Youth Band. They have been the National Youth Champions of Great Britain for the past six years, which is a remarkable achievement.

Beer Prices Reduced

Carlsberg, Tetleys and Tribute only £2-50 a pint!

Pirates TV

This match will also be screened live on Pirates TV - http://cornish-pirates.com/pirates-tv/