RARE CHANCE TO SEE TOP RUGBY PLAYERS IN TRAINING
Plymouth Albion will welcome the Cornish Pirates to the Brickfields in August to offer rugby fans a unique opportunity to see players in training.
Training sessions are usually private affairs, but Albion are throwing open the gates to the public to allow them to meet the players, watch them being put through their paces and enjoy some rugby action with the Pirates, their “friendly rivals” from across the Tamar.
It’s the first time Albion has staged such an event and Managing Director Max Venables says it offers the best of both worlds to spectators – some playing action against a top quality side and a chance to see what goes on behind the scenes.
“The two teams are in a slightly different stage pre-season,” he says. “They will be starting later than us because of the world cup. A pre-season game with them could risk a lot of injuries for us so this way we can protect our squad. There is a friendly rivalry but we share the same love of the rugby game.”
The event offers the chance for fans to meet the new Head Coach, Ben Gulliver and his team who have a lot of connections with the Cornish Pirates. Ben and his coaching team of player Dan Mugford, Exeter Chiefs star point-scorer Gareth Steenson and former Chiefs prop Carl Rimmer have all played for the Cornish side. New Albion signings Javiah Pohe and Alex Ducker were also Pirates team members.
“It will be very different from a normal match day and it will be great fun for the spectators,” says Max.
The Pirates are also looking forward to visiting Plymouth. “With the appointment of Ben Gulliver as Head Coach at Plymouth Albion, it has provided both clubs with a familiar link,” says Director of Rugby Chris Stirling.
“At a recent visit to our pre-season, Ben suggested a training day with the focus on development for both squads, which will fit well with our current pre-season programme and help prepare us for our opening Championship Cup matches.”
The Plymouth Albion and Cornish Pirates Training Day is on Saturday 31 August with gates open from 12 noon and rugby action due to start at 2pm. There will be pop-up bars, stalls and a barbecue to make it a fun day out for the family, with tickets at just £5.
