Big Dunc aims to have something to celebrate
TOM Duncan is gearing up for his 50th appearance in a Cornish Pirates shirt and is adamant only a win against Jersey will do today at the Mennaye.
The big No.8, who is set to reach the landmark along with centre Max Bodilly, has been the driving force behind the Cornwall side’s recent run of seven wins which has moved them back to within striking distance of the top four and a place in the semi-finals.
With Jersey also high on confidence on the back of five consecutive wins themselves, something will have to give in Penzance.
The Pirates’ mettle was tested to the full last weekend when they took on Rotherham with a depleted side but still managed to pull off a 34-5 win to the delight of Duncan.
“It’s a big thing personally to reach my 50th appearance for the club but we have to perform as a team and get a good result against a good Jersey side,” he said.
“We’re pretty much neck and neck in the table and they’re a big and physical team. Their plan will be to come down here, be confrontational and mix it up a bit.
“So we’re going to have a good go at them and hope we get the win in front of our home crowd.
“We had 22 fit players in our squad last week with five backs on the bench. But credit to the guys for playing for each other. Everyone stood up and we managed to get the result we wanted.”
Jersey’s recent run of form has brought them back to within four points of the Pirates and another win would set them up for a three-way battle for fourthplace with Ealing Trailfinders with four rounds to go.
Head coach Harvey Biljon, returning to the club where he was assistant coach before moving to Jersey in January 2014, has made minimal changes to his squad.
Skipper James Freeman returns to the back row with Max Argyle reverting to the bench. Dave McKern and Simon Kerrod miss out with injury meaning James Voss and Mark Tampin get a chance to impress at lock and tighthead respectively.
“We don’t want to risk players who aren’t 100 per cent at this stage of the season,” Biljon said.
“James Voss gets his chance after some good impact from the bench last time out, and Mark Tampin is eager to show what he can do after not getting many opportunities in recent weeks.”
Duncan will captain the Pirates from No.8 once more while Bodilly comes into the starting XV to partner Tom Hendrickson in the centre.
In the forwards Jack Innard is named at hooker, Josh Caulfield returns from England U20s duty to slot into the second row, and fit-again Alex Cheeseman returns at flanker.