The Pirates entertain Northampton Saints at Camborne on Saturday (2pm) as the teams go head to head for the third time this season. Northampton have prevailed in both encounters to date winning 25-36 in Cornwall in early September and then 26-10 at Franklin`s Gardens just three weeks ago. Yet with a more ruthless killer instinct and greater self-belief it could have been so different as the Pirates led in both matches.

That was then and this is now and cup competitions in any sport are no respecter of formbooks. The EDF National Trophy may be a minor distraction to players, officials and media types outside of the National League set-up but down here in Cornwall it really means something, especially after last year.

Moseley, Leeds, Doncaster and Plymouth Albion were all put to the sword as the Pirates battled their way to HQ the hard way. Exeter Chiefs were oh so sweetly slain on the hallowed turf of Twickers during a second half fightback never to be forgotten by those Pirates who were there. Let nobody cast asunder the importance of this competition to the teams who take part for the commitment on display is total.

It is still disappointing and a grave wrong within English domestic rugby that there is no flagship domestic cup competition open to all domestic clubs. If soccer`s FA Cup was to be limited solely to participants from within the Premiership there would be a national outcry. Questions would be tabled in the House of Commons, Radio Five Live would talk of nothing else, and the Sun would get up a petition and yes, Chelsea and Manchester United would still contest the final.

In rugby union the RFU have turned their back on the national leagues opting for a cup competition comprising of a series of muddy scraps between English Premiership teams and Welsh sides, played in front of small crowds and disinterested match commentators. So whilst they get on with their own turgid fayre we shall revel in the scraps they have left behind.

The Pirates come into this game with injuries in the camp and the raging hump. Pertemps Bees attempt to have last Saturday`s league result reversed following a dispute over the usage of uncontested scrums, backfired spectacularly on them last night at an RFU hearing. The final result stands but the Pirates were pinged for three league points which have disappeared into the ether. After so much effort on a bog of a pitch to come away with a one point win must hurt. It would certainly make me a tad teazey.

To wit the Pirates camp are, at the time of writing, unable to name a match day twenty-two for Saturday and a game that many in these parts are quietly confident of winning. Questions still remain as to whether Bruce Cumming`s bionic implant has yet bedded-in, has Sam Heard got used to his new spinal splint, and does Iva Motusaga have a cunning plan to hide the Referee`s yellow card prior to kick-off?

Northampton Saints on the other hand tormented the Pirates in December with a Maori phenomena known as "Reihana". On the well manicured lawn at the Gardens "Broooce" enjoyed himself galloping to and fro in the spaces behind the Pirates defence. There was a rumour too that day that Carlos Spencer was playing although after an early unconfirmed sighting it was hard to tell!

Pace and precision did for the Pirates that day so for Saturday they have summoned the finest and most ferocious of Atlantic storms to the Duchy, and grown the grass a bit at the Rec. The theory being simply that if the Saints backs can charge around like show ponies in that they deserve to win.

You will though be hard pushed to find much negativity in the pubs and clubs of the Duchy this weekend. With Mounts Bay and Redruth also hosting Division One teams in the cup there is something of a rugby carnival atmosphere in West Cornwall. Saints fans have reportedly declined to embrace the magic of this particular cup ensuring that they will be seriously vocally challenged on the terraces of Camborne. The welcome they receive will, as always, be a warm one.

So as one week ends for the Pirates on a note of irritation over the Bees match, another could start in completely the opposite vein. By Monday night they could be in the hat for the fifth round and on the way to building a brand new stadium - at last!

One thing is for sure though. By Saturday evening one of the favourites in this year`s tournament will be out. 

TEAM NEWS UPDATE...... 

The Pirates team for tomorrow is as follows.....

15 Adryan Winnan, 14 Rhodri McAtee, 13 Vunga Lilo, 12 Steve Winn, 11 Brian Tuohy,
10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Tim Cowley (capt), 7 Iva Motusaga, 6 Stan McKeen,
5 Scott Hobson, 4 Heino Senekal, 3 Dan Seal, 2 Rob Elloway, 1 Peter Cook

Replacements:
16 Darren Dawidiuk, 17 Alan Paver, 18 Matt Evans, 19 Chris Cracknell, 20 Paul Devlin,
21 Ollie Thomas, 22 Jimmy Moore

Iva has clearly hidden the Ref`s kit bag as he starts, Heardy`s spinal splint obviously needs tweaking, and Bruce Cumming has not yet evolved into the bionic man. Indeed, unconfirmed reports suggest that he is currently building a bionic cat (but that is another story!!!).

Saints have yet to finalise their line-up as several players have left their raincoats at home.

Tomorrow`s Ref is the man who sounds like an Irish Turf Accountant.....Mr J P Doyle. 

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