Cornish Pirates Expect Caldy to Be a Handful

Photo: Cornish Pirates

Next up for the Cornish Pirates is a return to league action with a 9^th versus 4^th Championship encounter away to Caldy on Saturday.

Formed as Old Caldeians Rugby Club 100 years ago, kick-off at Caldy’s Paton Field ground in Thurstaston on the Wirral Peninsula is at 3pm – and not 2pm as originally advertised.

The Cornish Pirates, who won 49-22 at home against Caldy in the league last November, will be aware that Caldy pose a serious threat at home. The Pirates lost 15-14 in their first league meeting at the Paton Field in December 2022, whilst the ‘Ravers’, to give Caldy their nickname, have impressed in their last three league outings. Indeed, a winning 26-22 result at home to Coventry was followed by a narrow 26-22 home loss to Bedford Blues, before last Saturday they drew 33-all at London Scottish.

Following their last league fixture away to Ealing Trailfinders, Cornish Pirates’ team news for this league contest sees a return to the starting line-up for fit again Ioan Evans, who will partner Joe Elderkin in the centre, whilst the named halfback pairing comprises Bruce Houston and Alex Schwarz. For the latter it will be his 99^th appearance for the club.

In the forwards, Lefty Zigiriadis and Matt Johnson are the selected propping pair, and Will Gibson will wear the ‘7’ shirt.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s contest, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle has said:

“Playing Caldy away is a tough challenge, as they have turned over several experienced Championship performers in their two seasons playing at the level, including us.

“A team you can’t underestimate and have to respect, their attacking game has definitely developed and with a big pack they are certain to prove a handful.

“From our perspective, you can’t dwell on the past, so how we impose our game on them will be the focus in the build-up, as will be applied similarly going forward into our next block of games.”

The Cornish Pirates full selection for Saturday is as follows:

Cornish Pirates:   15 Will Trewin 14 Robin Wedlake 13 Ioan Evans 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Matt McNab 10 Bruce Houston 9 Alex Schwarz; 1 Lefty Zigiriadis 2 Morgan Nelson 3 Matt Johnson 4 Will Britton 5 Steele Barker 6 John Stevens (captain) 7 Will Gibson 8 Hugh Bokenham.

Replacements:   16 Rhys Williams 17 Jack Andrew 18 Fin Richardson 19 Josh King 20 Alex Everett 21 Ruaridh Dawson 22 Tom Pittman 23 Tom Georgiou.

For further information please visit: www.cornish-pirates.com/tickets