Cornish Pirates

With the 2008-09 season just finished, interest is already developing with regard to the make-up of the Cornish Pirates squad for next season.

The position to date is as follows:-

18 Players In Contract Or Having Finalised A New Contract with the Cornish Pirates are:-

Paul Andrew - Sam Betty - Richard Bright - Blair Cowan - Paul Devlin - Rob Elloway
Matt Evans - Scott Franklin - Ben Gulliver - Aisea Havili - Mark Ireland - Rhys Jones
Tom Luke - Rhodri McAtee - Jimmy Moore - Chris Morgan - Alan Paver - Steve Winn

18 Players In Contract Or Having Finalised A New Contract
Richard Bright Full-back/wing	Sam Betty Flanker	Paul Andrew Prop	Blair Cowan No. 8/Flanker	Paul Devlin Center/Wing

Rob Elloway Hooker	Matt Evans No. 8/Flanker	Scott Franklin Prop	Ben Gulliver Lock	Aisea Havili Wing

Mark Ireland Center/Wing	Rhys Jones Fly Half	Tom Luke Centre/Fly-Half	Rhodri McAtee Wing	Jimmy Moore Utility back

Chris Morgan Flanker	Alan Paver Prop	Steve Winn Centre

Jonny Bentley (from Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars) - Rudi Brits (from Coventry)
Luke Collins (from Redruth) - Gavin Cattle (from Llanelli Scarlets)
Wes Davies (from Doncaster Knights) - James Doherty (from Wharfedale)
Laurie McGlone (from Coventry) - Mike Myerscough (from the Cornish All Blacks)
Carl Rimmer (from Coventry) - Ryan Storer (from Worthing)

Johnny Bentley Fly Half	Gavin Cattle Scrum Half	Rudi Brits Prop/Hooker	Luke Collins Lock	Wes Davies Full-Back/Wing
From Japan	From Scarlets	From Coventry	From Redruth	From Doncaster
From				From
James Doherty Scrum Half	Laurie McGlone No.8/Back Row	Mike Myerscough Lock	Carl Rimmer Loosehead Prop	Ryan Storer Prop
From Wharfedale	From Coventry	From CABs	From Coventry	From Worthing

Having previously announced details of Jonny Bentley, Gavin Cattle, Wes Davies and Mike Myerscough, of six others listed above there are three from Coventry. Carl Rimmer and Rudi Brits are both prop forwards, and Laurie McGlone a No. 8.

Carl Rimmer
A loose-head prop forward, aged just 23. Banbury-born, he previously played for Nuneaton before representing Coventry and England Counties.

Rudi Brits
A respected 28 year old South African tight-head prop, who, like Carl Rimmer, weighs in at 18 and a half stones. He has represented his country at U19s level, and has also played for the Pumas in the Currie Cup.

Laurie McGlone
At 30 years of age, is an experienced performer and outstanding ball carrier. New Zealand-born, he is also a prolific try-scorer who has topped Coventry's try-scoring list for the past two seasons. A real leader, he has also captained 'Cov' on a number of occasions.

The three other latest signings are Cornish lock Luke Collins from Redruth, scrum-half James Doherty from Wharfedale, and prop Ryan Storer from Worthing.

Luke Collins
Aaged 26, is the son of Derek Collins, the President of Redruth. Weighing in at 19 stones, Luke will provide an obvious physical presence as he looks to step from National Two. He was the Redruth Supporters 'Player of the Year' for the past season, when he also appeared for the England Counties team.

James Doherty
At 21 years of age is a player of great potential, he has also represented England Counties and has played for Lancashire.

Ryan Storer
Someone who has impressed England, London Wasps and Leinster prop Will Green.
Commenting on the former Harlequins U21s player, he said: "Ryan will thrive in the full-time professional set up at the Pirates and I am confident he will step up to the exciting challenge ahead. Now aged 26, he has good all round ability and a work ethic that has impressed me the most."

3 Players Joining Other Clubs On Transfer
Darren Dawidiuk Hooker	Nicky Griffiths Scrum-half	Marika Vakacegu Wing/back/centre
To Gloucester	To Doncaster	To Sale Sharks

11 Players Who Have Completed Their Contracts Or Are Being Released From Contracts :

Bertrand Bedes - Mike Burak - Peter Cook - Ed Fairhurst - Sam Heard - Iva Motusaga
Dan Seal - Heino Senekal - Brian Tuohy - Simon Whatling - Adryan Winnan

Bertrand Bedes No.8	Mike Burak Lock	Peter Cook Prop	Ed Fairhurst Scrum-half
Sam Heard Prop	Iva Motusaga Flanker	Dan Seal Prop	Heino Senekal Lock

Brian Tuohy Centre /Wing	Simon Whatling Centre	Adryan Winnan Full back

Speaking with reference to the developing squad, Cornish Pirates CEO Rod Coward stated:

"Recruiting is almost complete and we believe that next season the squad will be competitive in all areas and will be successful in what will be a very challenging new 'Championship' league. Our new Pirates bring an exciting blend of experience and potential and, I believe, will soon establish themselves as firm favourites with our supporters.

The Club wishes to record its grateful thanks for many years of commitment, unswerving loyalty and effort to stalwarts - Dan Seal, Heino Senekal and Iva Motusaga and also to the more recent Pirates who are moving on."

With reference to the list of players joining, it should be noted that there will be more new signings announced in the near future.