THE Cornish Pirates look to build on their opening day victory over Doncaster Knights when they visit Coventry tomorrow afternoon (3pm) in Elior Champ Rugby.

The Midlanders will be keen to bounce back from their 38-35 loss away to promoted Rotherham Titans in their opener, while the Pirates saw off the Knights 45-19 at the Mennaye Field. One to watch for the hosts will be former ‘Pirate’ Bruce Houston, who scored a try and slotted five conversions in the narrow defeat.

There are two changes to the Pirates starting XV. Both centre Chester Ribbons and lock Steele Barker picked up injuries last weekend, so Joe Elderkin replaces Ribbons and Tomi Agbongbon is selected at No.8 as Hugh Bokenham moves into the second row.

Josh King and Luke Ratcliff come onto the bench, while Matt Cannon could mark his 50th appearance for the club.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: “Coventry have recruited well and have a lot of quality in their team, and having been beaten in a high-scoring game against Harvey Biljon’s Titans, they will looking to right their wrongs and will be ultra-keen to record a win this weekend.

“Bruce (Houston) has obviously settled in well there and we know the threat that he poses as he is a very good player and also a good man.

“Looking back on Sunday, in the first half I felt there were opportunities for us to pull away with ball in-hand, plus we felt our power in the scrum didn’t get any reward, so that is something we have been looking at. Overall, though, it was very pleasing that we stuck to task and ultimately recorded such a result.”

CORNISH PIRATES at Coventry: Henry Palmer; Arthur Relton, Harry Ascherl, Joe Elderkin, Josh Radcliff; Arwel Robson, Dan Hiscocks; Alessandro Heaney, Morgan Nelson, Alfie Petch; Milo Hallam, Hugh Bokenham; Alex Everett (capt), Jack Forsythe, Tomi Agbongbon. Replacements: Matt Pritchard, Jamie Clark, Osman Dimen, Matt Cannon, Josh King, Luke Ratcliff, Will Becconsall, Finn Love.