For
the Pirates, however, the weekend represents the first competitive action part
of their build-up to the new National League One season. Having been back in training
for weeks, coach McKay admits he and his squad cannot wait to get out onto the
pitch. The Aussie said: "We've still got three
weeks to go before the season, so we are still very much working towards being
in peak condition for that time. That said, the boys have been working very hard
already with [conditioning coach] Simon Raynes and it will be good for them to
get out on the field and start putting into place some of the things we have been
working on. “We are playing on the Mennaye,
which we know very well as it’s our training base, and will be playing in
front of our own supporters, which is also nice.” He
added: “It’s our first test of the season and it will be three different
styles of rugby out on the pitch, so that’s good for those who come to watch.
We’ve got most of our squad in action, plus the Academy boys will get a run
as well.” Injuries and unavabilities mean that
McKay is without Gavin Cattle, Iva Motusaga, Nick Makin, Chris Cracknell and Stanley
McKeen, the latter of whom is on international duty with Canada against the US
Eagles. Pirates v Launceston:
D Roke; J Moore, H Barratt, D Bell,
L Vinnicombe; A Di Bernardo, R Wells; G Anderson, O Hambly, S Heard; J Beardshaw,
H Senekal; T Cowley, S Betty, M Evans. Pirates v Ebbw Vale:
A
Winnan/L Webb, J Hylton, H Barratt/D Bell, S Winn, L Vinnicombe/S Parsons; J Moore/M
Provis, R Wells; A Paver, V Ma'asi/D Dawidiuk, D Seal; S Hobson, H Senekal/J Beardshaw,
T Cowley/M Rawling, S Betty, M Evans Launceston:
G Lovell; N
Holt, R Westren, K Francis, M Luxton; M Scrivener, R John; K Brooking, D Risdon,
I Langbridge; S Pape, B Luxton; J Lord, W Sprangle, D Kimberley.
Replacements:
J Bolt, S Roberts, W Reed, B Collings, N Burnett, M Abbott, J Murphy, S Young.
Ebbw Vale (from):
A Bevan, J Bowd, C Cleaver, J Cross, N Edwards,
T Edwards, K Gay, I George, M Griffin, M Griffiths, S Hunt, L James, C Jones,
R Jones, D Lydiate, J Lydiate, A McLaughlan, S Mills, I Ohlsson, K Owen, D Phillips,
J Quirk, B Shelbourne, R Wilkes, L Williams, M Williams. Squad
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