Kyle Marriott returns to captain the Cornish Pirates in their British & Irish Cup clash with Welsh Premiership side Swansea at the Mennaye Field on Sunday (2pm), writes Dick Straughan.
The 25-year-old flanker has been out of action since injuring a hamstring in the third game of the season at Bristol and is one of five changes in the Pirates pack after last weekend`s win over Nottingham.
Marriott takes over at No8 from Laurie McGlone and is joined in the back row by Bath loanee Joe Buckle. Darren Barry comes in at lock for Gary Johnson whilst in the front row there is a double change at prop. Ryan Storer and Peter Joyce take over from Paul Andrew and Alan Paver, who drop to the bench.
Kieran Hallett starts at fly half after recovering from a knock picked up last weekend and Tom Kessell takes over from Gavin Cattle at scrum-half.
There is a new centre pairing as Sam Hill and Tom Bedford are preferred while the versatile JJ Kilmartin will start on the right wing.
Recent signing from Redruth, Owen Hambly is named among the replacements as he begins his second spell with the Penzance-based team.
Cornish Pirates: Davies, Kilmartin, Bedford, Hill, Mercer, Hallett, Kessell; Storer, Elloway, Joyce, Lyons, Barry, Tyas, Buckle, Marriott (capt). Replacements: Andrew, Semmens, Paver, McGlone, Hambly, Cattle, Cheesman.
Referee: Greg Macdonald (RFU).
Assistants: Nick Williams & Peter Huckle.
Match Day Sponsor: '3663'.
* For Sunday's game ticket prices for the terraces or open seating are reduced priced £10 for adults and concessions, and free for under 16s. Season ticket holders should note that their season ticket also covers their entry to the game. Tickets will be available at the entry gates on the day but as ever they are also available on-line at www.cornish-pirates.com and from certain Warrens bakery shops.
The Pirates, who after two games are presently top of Pool 3 in this season's British & Irish Cup competition, have played third-placed Swansea on four previous occasions at the Mennaye Field. The first was in 1946 and the last in 1955, and the Pirates have yet to record a win against the 'All Whites'.
A strong Swansea team also played a Pirates President's XV at the 'Mennaye in 1989, winning 64-10. Welsh international full-back Mark Wyatt scored a hat-trick and also kicked six conversions in the match.
