CORNISH Pirates joint head coach Alan Paver hopes a first away win of the season at Rotherham Titans on Sunday (4pm) could ‘spur the lads on’ as they look to continue their play-off push in Elior Champ Rugby.

The Cornishmen have won all three of their fixtures at the Mennaye Field, but drubbings at Coventry and Bedford Blues mean they only sit sixth in the table, two places behind their promoted hosts who have lost just once from five starts.

Rotherham, whose director of rugby is former Pirates coach Harvey Biljon, have seen off Coventry, Bedford and Caldy at fortress Clifton Lane, while their only setback so far saw them thrashed 78-12 at unbeaten leaders Worcester Warriors. It is a fine start from the Yorkshiremen who have enjoyed successive promotions.

From the side that eventually eased past Chinnor last time out, the Pirates make three changes to the starting XV.

Centre Chester Ribbons is fit again and comes in for Australian Josh Radcliffe, while lock Milo Hallam and hooker Morgan Nelson are preferred to Matt Cannon and Matt Pritchard respectively.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s encounter, joint head coach Alan Paver said: “Firstly, we are aware that Rotherham are traditionally always a difficult side to beat at home, and right up there with Doncaster Knights it is our longest journey. Added to this, we also know they have had an extremely good start to the campaign.

“Their director of rugby, Harvey Biljon, is very experienced, plus they have recruited well, but we should hold a level of confidence in our ambitious team.

“We do feel we have the game and the players whose aim will be very much to get that sought after first away victory. Yes, it’ll naturally be tough, but if we can win then it would be a really big achievement to spur the lads on.”

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