Cornish Pirates boss Ian Davies excited by youngsters

Ian Davies guided Cornish Pirates to sixth place in the Championship last season

Cornish Pirates director of rugby Ian Davies says he is excited at giving some untested young players the chance to make their mark on the Championship.

Davies has brought in and Ben Trevaskis from lower-league rugby in Cornwall as well former Bath youngster Adam Jamieson.

"When they get their chance they've got to take it," Davies told BBC Sport.

"It's a big step up, Alex Ducker and Ben Trevaskis are from much lower down the leagues."

He added: "There are some other youngsters who are coming out of Truro College or Truro School, so it's going to be a massive step up to the Championship level.

"But that's the challenge, that's the exciting thing as a coach is to try and get these guys to reach their potential."

The club have seen a number of established players leave this summer and while some recognisable names have returned, such as prop Paul Andrew, the Pirates are still in a position where they do not have the same depth as squad as the top teams in the division.

"Until the new stadium gets built we're going to be a feeding ground for Premiership clubs and we can't stand in the way of talented players moving on," Davies said.

"It is tough, but we've got experienced guys who've been with us for a while who know what we're about.

"There's a young coaching staff with Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver becoming player coaches, but we're hoping to challenge like we did last year.

"We beat Bristol twice out of the three games last season, we beat London Scottish at home, what we've got to do is be a little bit more consistent and if we can do that we can ruffle a few feathers."

"But it's down to them, if they perform they're going to play. When they get their chance they've got to take it."