Cornish Pirates boss Ian Davies eyes rare victory at Bristol

Cornish Pirates were thumped 40-10 by Bristol at the Mennaye back in October

Cornish Pirates boss Ian Davies is hoping to get the club's first Championship win at leaders Bristol.

Pirates have never won at Bristol since the Championship was formed, despite numerous wins at the Mennaye and one victory at Exeter's Sandy Park.

"That's obviously something that we need to put right," said Davies, whose side are ninth in the table.

"Even when we got to the Championship finals we never won at Bristol, so it's a tough place to go."

He continued to BBC Radio Cornwall: "Now that Plymouth have been relegated it's the only day-return trip that we have, so we savour those as we get back at a decent hour after the game, so it's slightly different preparation from our norm, but we know it's going to be a challenge."

The Pirates will welcome back Jake Parker and Joe Atkinson to the squad, but Will Graulich is out after suffering a head injury in the loss to Doncaster last week.

"Bristol have been the standout side for many a season in the Championship since I came here in 2009," added Davies.

"They're a well-resourced, well-supported, fantastic squad of players with numerous internationals, so what a great challenge for the boys."