Pirates expect a tough time at Blues
The Cornish Pirates are away to Bedford Blues this Saturday, who are guaranteed to provide tough opposition. Kick-off at Goldington Road is at 3pm.
Bedford’s impressive 23-16 points victory at Bristol on Sunday means they have recorded five wins from the six Championship games played to date, and are presently second in the league table behind Worcester. The Pirates are third.
The Blues, whose only loss in this campaign was a narrow 19-16 defeat away to Rotherham Titans, ended up fourth in the league table last season and have since acquired the services of players including former Plymouth Albion hooker Joe Clark, and a former Exeter duo in centre Tom Bedford and lock Sean Tomes. Owen Farrell and James Short (their top try-scorer with 4), are two of a number of players who are dual-registered with Saracens, and their top points scorer is James Pritchard on 67.
In four games played against Bedford last season, the Pirates won 25-24 and 22-18 at home, but lost 19-16 and 42-18 away. The latter loss understandably dented pride, so the Pirates will strive to make amends this weekend. Their selection shows a number of changes, one in the backs and five in the forwards, from the side that started against Plymouth Albion last Sunday. Tom Luke comes into the side at inside centre in place of the unavailable Steve Winn, and in the pack flankers Phil Burgess and Chris Morgan return, as does lock Laurie McGlone who has recovered from injury and will partner Mike Myerscough in the second-row. The experienced Alan Paver is named at loose-head prop, and Dave Ward was an obvious to be named at hooker following the broken ankle injury suffered by Rob Elloway. Listed among the replacements is the highly promising Tom Cowan-Dickie, who will make his Championship debut if called off the bench.
Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, G. Pointer, M. Hopper, T. Luke, W. Davies, J. Bentley, G. Cattle (capt), B. Cowan, P. Burgess, C. Morgan, L. McGlone, M. Myerscough, R. Brits, D. Ward, A. Paver.
Replacements: R. Storer, T. Cowan-Dickie, C. Rimmer, I. Nimmo, K. Marriott, R. McAtee, N. Jackson.
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