The Cornish Pirates will be looking to build on their 37-15 win over Doncaster Knights last weekend when they host Nottingham under the Mennaye Field floodlights on Friday evening (7.30pm).

With club captain John Stevens and last weekend’s appointed leader Tom Kessell both injured, the skipper’s armband will this week be worn by hooker Will Crane.  

In Kessell’s absence Ruaridh Dawson makes a return at scrum-half, whilst there are two changes in the pack.

Harvey Beaton is named at tight-head prop and, with lock Will Britton having picked up an injury against the Knights, James Fender will start alongside Cory Teague in the second-row.

Speaking ahead of Friday’s match Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: “We had a close game against Nottingham when playing them away back in September and had to recover well to win 23-19 after having been down 19-9 at the break.

“Our discipline and composure proved important when we showed character in that second half, and we all know that such ingredients can often carry you through to victory.

“Hopefully the same will be on show on Friday night, as we look to back up our morale-boosting performance against Doncaster Knights last Saturday (won 37-15). It is certainly something that has been at the forefront of our minds this week.”

Cornish Pirates: 15 AJ Cant, 14 Robin Wedlake, 13 Rory Parata, 12 Garyn Smith, 11 Tommy Wyatt, 10 Harry Bazalgette, 9 Ruaridh Dawson; 1 Marlen Walker, 2 Will Crane (captain), 3 Harvey Beaton, 4 James Fender, 5 Cory Teague, 6 Alex Everett, 7 Will Gibson, 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor.

Replacements:   16 Max Norey, 17 Jack Andrew, 18 Matt Johnson, 19 Josh Williams, 20 Rusiate Tuima, 21 Alex Schwarz, 22 Arwel Robson, 23 Will Trewin.

Nottingham: 15. Jordan Olowofela, 14. David Williams, 13. Marcus Ramage, 12. Javiah Pohe, 11. Ryan Olowofela, 10. Jack Neville, 9. Liam Slatem, 1. Aniseko Sio, 2. Jack Dickinson, 3.Ben Betts, 4. Tom Manz, 5. Iosefa Maloney, 6. Scott Hall, 7. Nathan Tweedy, 8. Josh Poullet (C)

Replacements: 16. Harry Clayton, 17. Toby Williams, 18. Archie Van Der Fleir, 19. Ross Bundy, 20. George Cox, 21. Michael Stronge, 22. Michael Green, 23. Harry Graham.