Pirates help prop pair get chance in Europe

JAMES Kenny and Patrick Schickerling, who began the season competing for Championship places in the Cornish Pirates front row, will head into February as part of the matchday squad who have propelled Exeter into the knockout stages of the Champions Cup.

Exeter’s gain is the Cornish side’s loss but Pirates are happy that it is all part of the dual-reg game.

Alan Paver, their joint head coach and scrum guru, does not expect to see Kenny and Schickerling back at the Mennaye Field accepting: “If you’re playing European rugby you’re not coming back to the Championship.”

But he is delighted his club has played its part in the development of former England U20 loosehead Kenny, 22, and 23-year-old “Namibian bulldozer” Schickerling even though it could cause him front row problems.

Paver said: “We’re flying close to the wind. We have quality players but we don’t have a lot of them.

“We’re trying to search out dual-reg and see what we can do to bolster that front row but we need a bit of luck with injuries.”

Kenny and Schickerling returned to Devon with his blessing and he said: “It’s a tried and tested method.

“Coming into the Championship and establishing yourself as a starter and then to be recognised as one of the best players in your position gives you the foundation to go back to your Premiership side and put your hand up and be counted.”

Harry Williams’ elbow surgery and the suspension of Alec Hepburn increased the openings for Kenny and Schickerling at Exeter. Their return to Sandy Park and the injury to Pirates prop Hayden King, who fractured a bone in his neck, have put more pressure on Jack Andrew and Sam Rodman to start more regularly and both have stepped up.

Exeter’s 20-year-old tighthead Alfie Petch, who arrived at the Mennaye with Kenny and Schickerling, is still with the Pirates, where he has figured from the bench this season.