SEVEN Launceston players have been named in the Cornwall starting XV for Saturday’s Tamar Cup showdown with Devon at Plymouth Albion RFC (2.30pm).

With no first team players from Camborne and Redruth selected due to their final three games in National League Two (West), it gives opportunities for a host of players to put their hands up ahead of the Bill Beaumont County Championship, which starts on May 23 when they take on holders Kent at Camborne RFC (2.30pm).

Launceston’s Rory Mead is named at hooker with Penzance and Newlyn’s Declan Prowse and powerhouse Charlie Short selected as the props as they look to retain the Cup which they held on to following a 22-14 victory last April at Redruth.

There’s some familiarity in the second-row as both locks are from St Austell with skipper Mark Vian joined by Tom Daniel.

Charlie Tummon has arguably been Launceston’s best player this term and is joined by club-mate and former Bude star Ben Hancock in a back-row which has Penzance and Newlyn skipper Stan Somers at No.8.

George Hillson starred for Devon last year in their run to Twickenham, but is now in the Black and Gold and starts at scrum-half with James Tucker, usually at full-back for Launceston, joining his club-mate at fly-half.

Ollie Bebbington is rewarded for his try-laden season at Polson Bridge with a start on the left-wing, as is Helston’s Rhys Williams on the other flank.

St Austell’s excellent centre Jamie Stanlake is joined in the midfield by Penzance and Newlyn’s experienced Josh Semmens, while player-coach Matt Shepherd will patrol things from the back of the field at full-back.

An eight-man bench has various clubs represented including Bude duo Freddie Saxton and Ed Hilliam-Cooke, while Saltash full-back Ryan Cruickshanks has recently recovered from injury and provides an attacking option off the bench. The other back named in the squad is Redruth Seconds’ scrum-half Ben Rosevear, while St Austell’s Hector Bright and Peter Harris are rewarded for the Saints’ fine season in Regional One South West.

Wadebridge Camels are going well in Regional Two South West and should be in the end of season play-offs. Young prop Olly Derry will look to add some impetus off the bench, as will fellow front-rower Rohan Ewels.

CORNWALL v Devon (Launceston unless stated): Matt Shepherd (St Austell); Rhys Williams (Helston), Jamie Stanlake (St Austell), Jamie Semmens (Penzance and Newlyn), Ollie Bebbington; James Tucker, George Hillson; Declan Prowse (Penzance and Newlyn), Rory Mead, Charlie Short; Tom Daniel (St Austell), Mark Vian (capt – St Austell); Charlie Tummon, Ben Hancock, Stan Somers (Penzance and Newlyn). Replacements: Peter Harris (St Austell), Olly Derry (Wadebridge Camels), Freddie Saxton (Bude), Hector Bright (St Austell), Ben Rosevear (Redruth Seconds), Ed Hilliam-Cooke (Bude), Ryan Cruickshanks (Saltash).