The World Cup is just over a week away, and we will post our preview on Wednesday.
Much more important, with the National Leagues already started, the Aviva Premiership and the Championship return this weekend.
We will update you on each round of the Aviva Premiership, in our World in Union fixture. We will also be keeping tabs on the the Championship. For the 2011/2012 season we will be following Cornish Pirates, bringing you match reports and previews courtesy of the club.
We will also continue with our Men in Black series, following Harpenden RFC in the London & South East, North West 2 League.
For now here is a preview and team news for Cornish Pirates match against Mosely.
Moseley v Cornish Pirates
RFU Championship Round 1
Billesley Common
Saturday 3rd September
Kick Off 3pm
Phil Westren's Preview
The Cornish Pirates, likewise their hosts at Moseley, will be keen to get off to a good start in their opening fixture in this season's RFU Championship.
Saturday's contest promises to be an interesting encounter at a ground where the two teams drew 26-all in the corresponding fixture last September.
Changes at Moseley have seen former Ireland centre Kevin Maggs take over the head coach role following Ian Smith's departure, and with several new personnel in place it is envisaged that there be a new philosophy on how to play the game.
In pre-season friendlies, despite having lost to Welsh sides Aberavon and Bedwas, 'Mose' will likely have benefited from the experience and will be upping their challenge to take the honours this weekend.
As for the Pirates, who made a step forward from their disappointing performance against Exeter Chiefs to then take the scalp of a Worcester Warriors side last Saturday, they have selected a strong looking like line-up which includes three new boys in wing David Doherty, fly-half Ceiron Thomas and flanker Dave Ewers, who will be making their Championship debuts for the club.
Three other new faces in prop Lloyd Fairbrother, scrum-half Tom Kessell and centre Tom Cooper are named on the bench.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's important Championship opener, Cornish Pirates high performance manager Chris Stirling commented:
"We expect a huge challenge from Moseley who in the recent past have played a style of rugby that is fully committed and hard to break down.
"No side, however, will be the complete package at this early stage, and from our perspective in striving to win we'll simply want to test structures put in place and look for further development with the aim becoming more polished as the season progresses."
"All backs are available for selection but for Jonny Bentley, whilst in the forwards Ben Maidment, Chris Morgan and Rudi Brits are not far away from full fitness."
Moseley
01. Craig Voisey, 02. Adam Caves, 03. Anton O'Donnell, 04. Dan Sanderson
05. Paul Spivey, 06. Mike Maltman, 07. Ben Pons, 08. Mike Ellery, 09. Sam Brown, 10. Brad Davies, 11. Brad Hunt, 12. Andy Reay (captain), 13. Jack Adams, 14. Billy Robinson, 15. Anthony Carter,
Replacements:
16. Colin Quigley (FR) 17. Richard Protherough (FR). 18. Marshall Gadd (FR)
19. Neil Mason, 20. Ryan Glynn, 21. Greg King, 22. Ollie Thomas
Cornish Pirates:
R. Cook, D. Doherty, G. Pointer, D. Locke, W. Davies
C. Thomas, G. Cattle (capt), K. Marriott, P. Burgess, D. Ewers
M. Myerscough, I. Nimmo, A. Paver, R. Elloway, R. Storer.
Replacements:
P. Andrew, D. Ward, L. Fairbrother, L. McGlone, B. Cowan
T. Kessell, T. Cooper.
No comments:
Post a Comment