Cornish Pirates to appeal over docked British & Irish Cup points

Hopkin's late try has since been cancelled out by the RFU

Cornish Pirates have launched an appeal after being docked points for breaching the rules on front-row replacements in the British & Irish Cup.

Pirates won the game 35-34 after fly-half Bertie Hopkin scored a late try.

But Hopkin came on to replace injured prop Tyler Gendell, with Pirates having already had two other front-rowers forced off with injuries.

Under the rules Pirates should not have replaced Gendell with another player as the match went to uncontested scrums.

The Rugby Football Union decided to cancel out Hopkin's try and award Bedford a 34-28 win.

"We have no complaints about the behaviour of Bedford, their officials and players with whom we enjoy competitive but cordial relations," said Pirates chairman Ian Connell in a statement.

"It is felt, however, that an appeal is justified.

"There will be no further comment from the Cornish Pirates until after the appeal hearing, a date for which has yet to be fixed."