Paver on standby to assist his tyro props

ALAN Paver did not figure in the opening five matches which took Cornish Pirates into third place in the Championship, but the veteran prop insists he has no intention yet of hanging up his boots as part of his joint-coach role with Gavin Cattle.

Paver, 39 next month, was inadvertently introduced as “former player” at a recent Pirates media event but he responded: “I'm still playing. I’ll be there when the ground softens up.”

Paver has taken a back seat behind props Jack and Paul Andrew, Tyler Gendall and Marlen Walker, but he said: “At some point I’ll have to play.”

Pirates have suffered a reduction to their playing resources this season as part of a necessary costcutting exercise and Paver explained: “The playing resources are manageable but they are tight and I can't keep four props fit.

“At the moment I'm number five but as we play some of the more experienced teams I might have to come back in. But I don't want to be in front of the young guys, holding back their progression so I'm here to support them now.

“I've had my day so it's what I can deliver as a coach and if I've got anything left in my body to give them a week off then they can have it.”

Paver and Gavin Cattle were listed as playercoaches last season but while Paver figured in 20 matches, Cattle has not taken the field again.