By Dick Straughan
December 1 2007

The Cornish Pirates have named a strong line-up ahead of tomorrow`s clash with Moseley at the Camborne Recreation Ground (kick-off 2pm). With more players returning to full fitness after long term injuries, Pirates Head Coach Jim McKay is able to continue with his squad rotation policy following last weekend`s bruising derby defeat at Plymouth Albion.

This match sees the long awaited returns of popular Canadian international flanker, Stan McKeen, after a serious achilles problem. Also back in harness wearing the inside centre jersey is former Gwent Dragon, Steve Winn, who has been sidelined since the early stages of the victory over Exeter Chiefs in October with a hamstring injury.

With the weather forecast promising heavy rain and severe gales in West Cornwall tomorrow McKay has opted for a strong forwards presence on a day when open rugby is likely to be in short supply.

Alan Paver takes over the captaincy in the front row with Tim Cowley rested. Sam Heard gets the nod at tight-head as he looks for some game time following his injury problems, whilst at lock Joe Beardshaw partners Heino Senekal with Bruce Cumming dropping to the bench. McKeen and Chris Cracknell make up a very capable ball-carrying duo on the flanks with Iva Motusaga, wrongly yellow carded last weekend, also amongst the replacements.

On the bench there is still no place for the pugnacious Rob Elloway, with Darren Dawiduik continuing to deputise as replacement hooker. Just two berths have been set aside for backs, with Mckay`s game plan clear, and they have been allocated to fit again Centre - Paul Devlin, and the increasingly under-employed Welsh whippet - Rhodri McAtee.

Moseley shipped a staggering 142 points in three league and cup meetings against the Pirates last season. Following a much publicised tie-up with Gloucester they have steadily improved this season and have worked hard to shrug off the new boys in the Division tag.

They currently sit thirteenth in the league and eight points above the relegation zone, but courtesy of the vagaries of the fixture calendar have now gone four games without a win since thrashing London Welsh 40-10 at Old Deep Park.

Since then Moseley have lost at home to Doncaster and Plymouth Albion and were taken apart at Bedford on their last trip away from home (62-17). Last weekend saw them squander a crucial lead at home to Sedgley Park in a game Moseley eventually drew 13-13.

The form book continues to stack the odds against the visitors from the Midlands tomorrow and I expect the Pirates to get back on the winning trail. It will not be pretty in the mud and rain but forward power and a tight game plan might even yield four tries and a bonus point for the home side. 

 

TEAMS - 

 

Cornish Pirates:   15 Ollie Thomas, 14 Ali Koko, 13 Vunga Lilo, 12 Steve Winn, 11 Jimmy Moore, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Matt Evans, 7 Chris Cracknell, 6 Stan McKeen, 5 J. Beardshaw, 4 Heino Senekal, 3 Sam Heard, 2 Nathan Kemp, 1 Alan Paver (capt)

 

Replacements:   Darren Dawidiuk, Peter Cook, Dan Seal, Bruce Cumming, Iva Motusaga, Paul Devlin, Rhodri McAtee

 

Moseley:-

15 Matt Williams, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Andy Binns, 12 Paul Cox, 11 Nathan Bressington, 10 Greg Macdonald, 9 Jimmy Ireland, 8 Mark Evans, 7 Richie Bignall, 6 Neil Mason (capt), 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Oliver Atkinson, 3 Terry Sigley, 2 Adam Caves, 1 Nathan Williams

 

Replacements:   Ross McMillan, Neil Bayliss, Ben Buxton, Paul Arnold, Gareth Taylor, Ian Culligan, A.N. Other

 

Referee:   David Rose (RFU)           

 

Tough Judges:   Nigel Higginson & Mark Summerhayes