The Bees currently sit second from bottom in National Division One with just two wins to their credit so far this season. Their last success coming in mid-November when they beat local rivals Coventry by a single point at home. Since then they have endured a run of defeats against Sedgley Park (14-15), Bedford (10-13), Moseley (7-21) and Plymouth Albion last weekend (3-9).

The Albion defeat was hardly an inspiring match and was slated in the local press for a total lack of inventiveness from both sides, however the biggest disappointment on the day for the Bees was the loss of Centre Peter Murchie with a double fracture to his left leg.

Nevertheless the Bees will provide tough opposition for a Pirates team who beat them in September at Camborne by 43-20. The last meeting between the two teams at Sharman`s Cross Road came in December 2006 when the Cornishmen prevailed in a mudbath to win 17-8 courtesy of two tries from this season`s captain Tim Cowley and the boot of former fly-half, Alberto Di Bernardo.

Following Sunday`s exciting 36-21 victory over a resurgent Coventry team Pirates Head Coach Jim McKay makes several changes to his starting XV for Saturday. Adryan Winnan  returns at full-back, whilst the dependable Steve Winn comes in at Inside Centre. Last week`s hat-trick hero, Paul Devlin, moves to the outside berth. Welsh Sevens flyer Rhodri McAtee takes the right wing position with Vunga Lilo reverting to the Number 11 jersey. Ollie Thomas is given another start at fly-half partnering Ed Fairhurst, with Gareth Steenson again on the bench.

Up front Rob Elloway starts at hooker in place of Darren Dawiduik who, after impressing against Coventry, is on the bench. Scott Hobson keeps his place at lock with Bruce Cumming still injured, and the back row is re-shuffled due to an injury to Chris Cracknell. Tim Cowley and Iva Motusaga are chosen on the flanks with Matt Evans returning at Number 8.

The replacements bench welcomes back fit again Stan McKeen along with Sam Heard, Sam Betty, Richard Bolt and Jimmy Moore.

It promises to be another tight and hard fought affair but there will be Pirates supporters aplenty  on site to roar on the boys.

Cornish Pirates:   A. Winnan, R. McAtee, P. Devlin, S. Winn, V. Lilo, O. Thomas, E. Fairhurst, M. Evans. I. Motusaga, T. Cowley (capt), S. Hobson, H. Senekal, D. Seal, R. Elloway, P. Cook.

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