Pirates v Albion – Match Preview

For the first time since 2018, we are set to take on the Cornish Pirates in a pre-season friendly this Saturday!

The fourth game of our pre-season schedule going into the 2023-24 campaign, we are coming up against Championship opposition for the first time. Our previous three saw us take big wins at Redruth and at home to Barnstaple; sandwiched in between them was a hard-fought victory over Devonport Services at the Brickfields.

Pirates will present a different challenge, not only this weekend, but next as well as we embark on a double-header with them with the second fixture taking place on 26 August at the Brickfields.

Head coach Ryan Lamb and forwards coach Aaron Jarvis have learned a considerable amount so far from their exploits, and this will present another opportunity for them to get some valuable information as we inch closer to our new National League 1 season.

Previous meeting:

We last faced the Pirates in a pre-season friendly on 25 August 2018, with our opponents running out 29-12 winners at our place.

Team News:

We come into this weekend without captain Herbie Stupple due to a jaw injury picked up during our win over Barnstaple. Jake Clemson and Jon Dawe (shoulder) are also unavailable, as is Connor Eastgate owing to a knock he took to the knee against Barnstaple. Dan Pullinger (shoulder) remains out of the side after an injury suffered during our meeting with Devonport Services.

The team in full:

1. 1. Ramaz Rukhadze
   2. Tom Cowan-Dickie
   3. Callum Davies
   4. Dan Collier
   5. Brad Howe
   6. Angus Hodges
   7. Torin Clarke
   8. Sam Daly
   9. Jack Oulton
   10. Phil Jones
   11. Kyle Speare
   12. Archie Hill
   13. Seta Raumakita
   14. Shea Cornish
   15. Tom Putt

Replacements:

Harry Wilkinson

Jenson Boughton

Gabe Mead

Jack Wickham

Morgan Stone

Pita Ratukadru

Craig Duncan

Billy Orchard

Charlie Groves