Rugby Union preview for Saturday, March 9

DEVONPORT SERVICES v CORNISH ALL BLACKS

WITH five games to go, the Cornish All Blacks are all but guaranteed at least a promotion play-off in their quest to win promotion to the Tribute South West Premier ahead of their trip to Devonport Services tomorrow.

Devonport have enjoyed an excellent first season at Step Six since winning promotion via the play-offs last term and could realistically finish as high as third if they win their game in-hand against Keynsham, which was abandoned shortly before the end last week due to an injured referee.

The Plymouth-based club are coached by former Launceston director of rugby Mike Lewis and have won 13 and lost seven of their 20 fixtures, including losing just once at their Rectory home, although they still have Okehampton and third-placed Newent still to play in Devon.

When the two sides met in November, Launceston eased to a 66-15 victory.

But the All Blacks have bounced back to form in the last few weeks after a poor start to 2019, edging a thriller at Hornets 42-39 before thrashing Cullompton 90-7 last weekend.

With the likes of Torin Clarke, Ryan Westren and Adam Collings now fully-fit after recent injuries, the All Blacks can attack leaders Okehampton knowing that the three-point deficit between the sides could be erased if Oke slip up at relegation-threatened Teignmouth.

Launceston have made just one change to their matchday 18 from last Saturday with Dan Goldsmith replacing the unavailable Andy Knight. Scrum-half Adam Collings is again kept out of the side by the impressive form of Dom Mulberry.

The two clubs’ second teams are also playing each other at the same venue, ensuring a massive day for both clubs.

Cornish All Blacks —

Sandercock, Jacob, Edwards, Westren, Kneebone, Coles, Mulberry; Bentham, Bulut, Thomas, Goldsmith, J Duke, Clarke, L Duke, Rowley

Replacements: Jenkins, Lightfoot, Collings

BUDE v PIRATES AMATEURS

BUDE player/coach, Angus Hodges, has been forced to make five changes from the side that nearly pulled off a famous victory at leaders Penryn last weekend ahead of tomorrow’s visit from Penzance-based Pirates Amateurs.

The North Cornwall side were denied by a last-gasp Josh Chambers score in a 10-10 draw which means they remain four points off the top with five games remaining.

However, their playing resources have been stretched to the limit.

From last week’s starting 15, props Adam Black and Chris Allin drop out as do key number eight Joe Wilson, fly-half Andy Yates and winger Will Pharo.

In their place come Simon Jeffery, and the Fry brothers Finley and Tremaine — the latter who has just returned from travelling — to play as the flankers with Hodges switching into Wilson’s position at eight.

In the backs, Timmy Green returns after being unavailable at last weekend to play at outside-centre with Kyle Speare moving to 12 and Charlie Watton taking Yates’ slot at ten. Jack Horwell steps up to replace Pharo on the left-flank.

The bench sees Cornwall Under 20s hooker Rory Mead joined by James Comber and Ryan Butler.

Hodges explained his selection, saying: “We have a few people unavailable. Adam Black and Chris Allin are away and Steve Yates is still injured. Timmy is available again this week so slides into 13 to cover the backs with Charlie and Kyle bumping in.

“Will Pharo is also away, Joe Wilson is injured from last week and with Tremaine back in the country, he moves back into start, so good timing there.

“Ryan Butler has also just moved back into the area and is on the bench.”

Hodges has emphasised his desire to see Bude become less forward-orientated in recent weeks and hopes to see evidence of that against their relegation-threatened visitors, who are coached by former Camborne full-back Murray Westren, who is also brother of Cornish All Blacks player/coach, Ryan Westren.

Hodges added: “Thursday night we had a good training session developing our depth play and transitioning from slow to fast ball. So hopefully tomorrow we’ll see some good transitions from forward play to wide expansive backs play.”

Bude —

Denford (captain), R Hodges, Green, Speare, Horwell, Watton, Mounce; Williams, Bolt, Jeffery, Kingdon, Troke, T Fry, F Fry, A Hodges

Replacements: Mead, Comber, Butler