Buckley thrilled to rejoin Costello

HAVING counted themselves unlucky not to pick up a first win at Yorkshire Carnegie, or at least a draw, Nottingham return to The Bay looking to maintain their 100 per cent home record.

Nottingham would have shared the spoils at Headingley last weekend had Lawrence Rayner managed to master a tricky cross wind and convert Josh Poullet’s last-gasp try. Instead they left for home having been beaten 26-24 but with two bonus points in the bag.

Imposing Irish No.8 Shane Buckley, who followed head coach Ian Costello across from Munster this summer, said: “We were happy with the performance but not the result. We probably left some points out there and at least one try but in fairness to Carnegie they did enough to win on the day.

“I supported Munster as a boy and always wanted to play for them but sometimes you just have to do what suits you best. Moving to Nottingham has given me the chance of reg- ular game time at a good level.”

Buckley added: “I rate Ian really highly. He brings a lot of organisation and structure and is big on everyone doing their jobs. He has actually coached me in some form or another since I was 16.”

Cornish Pirates beat the Green and Whites four times last season being drawn in the same B&I Cup pool but co-head coach Alan Paver is still expecting a tough encounter.

“Sunday will be a tough contest against a likely nuggety Nottingham side," he said. “We must be prepared for them to come out firing and I think it will be close.”