Cornish Pirates

RFU Championship Round 19

Sunday 24th January 2010
Kick Off 2pm At Camborne

Phil Westren's Preview

The Cornish Pirates know they will face a stern test this coming Sunday when they take on the challenge of Rotherham Titans

The Yorkshire visitors will arrive in buoyant mood having beaten Birmingham & Solihull 42-15 on Wednesday night, the Bees a side, of course, against whom the Pirates disappointingly drew with only last Sunday.

For the Pirates, their mission is three-fold – to try and secure their place in the promotion play-offs, to cast aside the frustration of drawing with the Bees, and to gain revenge for having been beaten 29-20 at Rotherham's Clifton Lane ground last October.

In that match the Titans were solid at the set piece, providing a platform from where fly-half Jonny West and full-back Mike Whitehead took due advantage.

Changes in the Cornish Pirates starting line-up from the one that faced the Bees includes a recall at scrum-half for skipper Gavin Cattle.

Mark Ireland comes back into the side at inside centre to partner Paul Devlin, and Nick Jackson moves out on the wing.

In the pack flanker Sam Betty and hooker Rob Elloway return for important game time, and the second-row pairing will be Ben Gulliver and Laurie McGlone.

Selections for the Titans include former Ireland international Kevin Maggs in the centre, ex Redruth favourite 'PJ' Gidlow on the wing, former 'Pirate' Neil Chivers at scrum-half, plus Tinus Du Plessis at flanker, the Namibian international a player who a couple of years ago played for the Cornish All Blacks.

Cornish Pirates:
R. Cook, N. Jackson, P. Devlin, M. Ireland, W. Davies
J. Bentley, G. Cattle, B. Cowan, S. Betty, C. Morgan
B. Gulliver, L. McGlone, R. Brits, R. Elloway, A. Paver.

Replacements:
R. Storer, D. Ward, P. Andrew, S. Pammenter, M. Evans, J. Doherty, S. Winn.

Rotherham Titans:
B. Coulbeck, B. Hunt, A. Henderson, K. Maggs, P. Gidlow
J. West, N. Chivers, S. Dickinson, T. Du Plessis, A. Kleeberger
A. Barnes, M. Challinor, B. Prescott (capt), N. Conroy, C. Voisey.

Replacements:
R. Batty, J. Kilbane, A. O'Donnell, G. Hayter, S. Swindall, M. Farmer, M. Rhodes.

Match officials:-

Referee: Rob Debney (RFU)

Assistants: Nigel Higginson & Luke Pearce

Match Day Collection:-

Sunday's match day collection will be made by the Barbarians, a group of veteran players from Cornish clubs, who are now in their 17 th season.

Over the years they have collected more than £60,000 for the less fortunate children of Cornwall, culminating last season with the magnificent sum of £10,000 presented to the Precious Lives Appeal. Roger Mead is the very proud Chairman of all his fellow Barbarians who continue the true spirit of Barbarian rugby.

Beer Offer

Tribute, Carslberg & Tetleys only £2.50 a pint

Pirates TV

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