Cornish Pirates: London Irish matches can help side grow says coach Gavin Cattle

Cornish Pirates have lost by 11 and nine points in their two meetings with London Irish

Cornish Pirates coach Gavin Cattle says the club's recent run of games against London Irish are helping his side grow.

The Pirates face the unbeaten former Premiership side for the third time in five weeks, having scored 24 points against them in their last two games.

"It's physically demanding, but long term playing that calibre of team can only accelerate what you're doing," Cattle told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"We've had two games against them and excelled in two different areas.

"We're trying to bring everything together really and that's where we are as a squad at the moment."

Irish have won all 11 of their games since being relegated from the top flight last season - they are six points clear at the top of the Championship and top of their British and Irish Cup pool ahead of Sunday's meeting with Pirates.

"They're a quality outfit, and from both of those games, if you could combine both I think we could put them in a bit of a tussle at the weekend," added Cattle.

"It's going to be a big ask for the boys again, because we've got to be realistic, London Irish are a quality outfit, but it's just a great occasion for thee boys to get an opportunity to play a team like that and show what skill set they've got under pressure."