Cornish Pirates

British Irish Cup

Friday 27th November 2009
Kick-off 4pm

Phil Westren's Preview

Three years ago to this month, as many more of us can recall, an impressive Leinster Academy team also visited and put on a wonderful display of rugby to win 61-15 against our Academy/Development side. 

Now, through the introduction of the new British & Irish Cup competition, the Pirates will face Irish opposition once more, a first on Friday across St. George's Channel to Dublin for a senior representative fixture, where the strong Leinster 'A' side await.  

The Leinster team emerged narrow 16-13 points winners away to Plymouth Albion last Saturday in their opening game in Pool 'A', showing grit and determination to hold on at the Brickfields where conditions on the day dictated that it was always going to be a hard and physical battle.  

For this weekend's eagerly awaited contest, which is to be played on Friday at Leinster's Donnybrook ground (ko 4pm), the home team's squad will be bolstered by the inclusion Irish international Girvan Dempsey. The 82 times capped star, who plays mainly at full-back, joins a number of other well-known players including Australian centre/fl-half Shaun Berne and lock Trevor Hogan.  

As Leinster look to build on their performance, the Pirates will travel with similar intention following their 29-8 points victory at home to Scottish side Gael Force on Sunday, their 4-try bonus point win giving them top spot in Pool 'A'.  

Pirates Team Named

For this second Pool A match in the British & Irish Cup competition the team shows four changes in the starting line-up from the one that faced Gael Force on Sunday.

Ryan Storer and Carl Rimmer are the named prop pairing, replacing Paul Andrew and an injured Scott Franklin, and Laurie McGlone, who was rested last weekend, returns at No. 8 in place of Blair Cowan. The one other change is in the backs, where Aisea Havili replaces Rhodri McAtee on the wing.

Cornish Pirates:
R. Cook, A. Havili, M. Ireland, S. Winn, N. Jackson,
J. Bentley, G. Cattle (capt), L. McGlone, T. Holmes, M. Evans,
L. Collins, S. Pammenter, C. Rimmer, D,. Ward, R. Storer.

Replacements:
P. Andrew, R. Elloway, R. Labuschagne, S. Betty, J. Doherty, R. Jones, R. Bright.

 

Leinster:

Backs -
P. O'Donohoe, S. Keogh, I. McKinley, E. O'Malley, S. Berne, B. Macken, M. Keating, N. Morris, D. Kearney, G. Dempsey, I. Madigan.

Forwards -
R. MCormack, R. Strauss, J. Harris-Wright, J. McGrath, S. Maguire, C. Ruddock, T. Hogan, M. Flanagan, E. Sheriff, R. Ruddock, D. Ryan, P. Ryan, S. Keogh.  

Of interest, scrum-half Paul O'Donohoe was a member of Leinster's Academy team that visited the Mennaye Field three years ago (a match in which prop Paul Doran-Jones, recently capped by England, also played), and brothers Ciaran and Rhys Ruddock are the sons of Mike Ruddock.  

Welshman Mr. David Bodilly (WRU) is the appointed referee for Friday's game, when his assistants will be the Irish pair of John Lacey and Dave O.Brien.