Pirates ready for ‘Titan-ic’ pre-season test

AFTER the rigours of training during this especially hot summer, match action will commence for the Cornish Pirates with a pre-season opener away to National League One side Taunton Titans this afternoon (KO 3pm).

For supporters travelling to the fixture at the Somerset team’s Veritas Park ground, the contest will also provide an opportunity to cast an eye over new squad members.

In total, 13 new confirmed faces have been selected to make their debuts for the Cornish Pirates. They are hookers Will Crane and Max Norey, props Harvey Beaton and Matt Johnson, locks James Fender, Will Britton and Josh Williams, backrowers Alex Everett, Seb Nagle-Taylor, Olly White and Jarrard Hayler, centre Garyn Smith, and wing Will Trewin. One further player, wing Tom Briggs, who is associated with the Royal Navy and has been training with the squad, is also selected.

Forwards Max Norey and Matt Johnson are two of seven players in the Pirates’ squad dual registered with Exeter Chiefs. The balance five, namely Lewis Pearson, Arthur Relton, Cory Teague, Rusiate Tuima and Tommy Wyatt, are not available this weekend, as is the case with a small number of other Cornish Pirates squad members.

The Cornish Pirates have selected two teams – one for each half:

Team 1: 15 Carwyn Penny, 14 Will Trewin, 13 Garyn Smith, 12 Joe Elderkin, 11 Callum Sirker, 10 Arwel Robson, Alex Schwarz; 1 Marlen Walker 2 W. Crane (captain), 3 Hayden King, 4 James Fender, 5 Will Britton, 6 Alex Everett, 7 Will Gibson, 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor.

Team 2: 15 AJ Cant, 14 Robin Wedlake, 13 Rory Parata, 12 Shae Tucker, 11 Tom Briggs, 10 Harry Bazalgette, 9 Ruaridh Dawson; 1 Olly Adkins, 2 Max Norey, 3 Harvey Beaton/Matt Johnson, 4 Josh Williams, 5 James Fender, 6 Olly White, 7 Jarrard Hayler, 8 John Stevens (captain).