Pirates braced for Hartpury backlash

PIRATES coach Gavin Cattle is expecting another fierce battle with Hartpury after seeing them off 35-19 in the B&I Cup a fortnight ago.

Pirates beat Doncaster Knights last time out in the league and are looking to build on recent performances.

Cattle said: “Although we beat Hartpury in the Cup, it is inevitably going to be much tougher this weekend in the Championship.

“We are expecting a lot more from them, as a number of their more experienced players come into the frame, whilst from our perspective it is important that all the work we put in prior to the Doncaster game continues, in our effort to move forward.”

With both Dan Koster and Brett Beukeboom having picked up knocks, there are two changes in personnel from the XV that started at Doncaster.

Nicolas Coronel will make his first Championship start, partnering Pete Laverick in the centre, and with a fit-again Alex Cheesman returning at flanker. Hartpury have also changed two from the team that won at London Scottish two weeks ago.

Ed Coulson makes his first Championship start for the club on the wing, while Harry Cochrane steps in at scrum-half. Coulson scored for Hartpury in two recent B&I Cup matches, including a try on his club debut versus the Pirates.

On the bench, experience returns in the form of former Bristol back rower, Iain Grieve, and prop Tom Heard.

Young scrum-half Charlie Chapman also gets a chance, stepping up from the BUCS Super Rugby team that won in midweek.