CORNISH Pirates joint head coach Alan Paver wants his side to end pre-season ‘with a bang’ when they host Premiership giants Saracens at the Mennaye Field this evening (7.30pm).

A sell-out crowd awaits both sides in West Cornwall as the Pirates look to build on victories over neighbours Camborne (50-28) and Plymouth Albion (35-21).

Saracens have made several appearances at the Mennaye Field over the years since first visiting and drawing 3-3 in 1952, whilst on their last visit during COVID in 2021 they lost 25-17 in the Championship. That was arguably the Pirates greatest ever result.

Skipper Alex Everett leads the Cornish side this weekend, and two highly-respected guest players from Camborne named on the bench are former Fiji international Josh Matavesi and prop Jon Drew.

Looking ahead to this evening, Paver said: “We have had a big training week with Saracens ahead of the game, which we are really looking forward to, and it has been great. It has been of benefit to both teams, and both have enjoyed it.

“For us, for the side that we are putting out it will be about getting the emotion right, really ripping in and finishing the pre-season games with a bang. That doesn’t necessarily mean a win, but it does mean getting out there and giving it our all, and to try and get some of the things we have been working on firing. If we can do that then I’ll feel pre-season has ticked all the right boxes.”

CORNISH PIRATES: 15 Angus Mawson; 14 Arthur Relton, 13 Chester Ribbons, 12 Harry Ascherl, 11 Henry Palmer; 10 Arwel Thomas, 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Jamie Clark, 2 Morgan Nelson, 3 Tyler Gendall; 4 Milo Hallam, 5 Steele Barker; 6 Alex Everett (captain), 7 Jack Forsythe, 8 Hugh Bokenham. Replacements: Matt Pritchard, Jon Drew (guest), Alfie Petch, Matt Cannon, Josh King, Luke Ratcliff, Barnaby Elderkin, Tomi Agbongbon, Will Becconsall, Josh Matavesi (guest), Joe Elderkin, Finn Love, Joe Cummins.