Benjamin hones his hooking skills at Pirates

JAMES Benjamin is the latest back row convert to enrol at the Cornish Pirates finishing school for hookers.

The Wales Sevens and former U20 international is aiming to follow in the footsteps of recent “graduates” Sam Matavesi and Dan Frost.

Fiji star Matavesi, who quickly became the number one No.2 at Northampton after arriving from Cornwall two years ago, played in the back row for both Camborne and Plymouth Albion before joining the Pirates in 2017.

His successor Frost, who has made an almost instant impact after being snapped up by Wasps this summer, played as a flanker with Taunton before his move to the Mennaye Field.

Now 27-year-old Benjamin is aiming to hone his hooking skills with the Pirates after joining them on loan from Welsh region the Dragons to help alleviate what was becoming something of a hooking crisis.

Following Frost’s departure, the announcement of Tom Channon’s impending move to Australia and Tom Cowan-Dickie’s loan transfer to Leicester Tigers, the Pirates suffered further blows.

Marlen Walker’s conversion from prop was interrupted by a calf injury and summer signing Syd Blackmore suffered an ankle ligament injury which has currently sidelined him for several weeks.

Enter Benjamin whose impressive Pirates debut in last weekend’s 40-5 home Championship victory over Coventry drew comparisons to the journey taken by Frost from Pirates joint head coach and fellow Welshman Gavin Cattle.

“He’s doing well,” said Cattle. “He converted from flanker last season so he’s going through that learning process and he can draw a lot from that.

“He’s a special rugby player. It was the same with Frosty, special rugby players need that time in the saddle and he’s getting that and can take a lot from his time with us.”