Tyler Gendall: Cornish Pirates prop learning from 'old heads'

Cornish Pirates prop Tyler Gendall was playing for St Ives last season, five leagues below the Championship

Cornish Pirates prop Tyler Gendall is eager to learn as much as he can from the "old heads" in the squad.

The 20-year-old has featured in every game since making his first start for the club against Bristol last weekend.

"I'm trying to gain as much experience as I can and learn from old heads like Alan Paver," Gendall told BBC Sport.

"It's a big step up - it's more physical, the players are bigger and stronger but I'm slowly getting there."

Gendall played his first full season of senior rugby last year with St Ives, who sit five levels below the Pirates in the league structure.

"The crowd at Bristol was insane, it was completely different," the front-rower added.

"At St Ives you might get 20 people watching and last week there were nearly 7,000 people screaming - it was a great experience I'll never forget."

The Pirates are yet to register a league win this term and the youngster returns to the bench this weekend for the visit of Moseley, with player-coach Paver stepping up to make his first appearance of the season.

"It's a must-win game and the experienced guys have taken control this week," he continued.

"We know Moseley have nothing to lose when they come down here so we'll have to be ready."