Rory Parata: Cornish Pirates centre signs new contract

Rory Parata has scored three tries in 14 appearances this season

Cornish Pirates centre Rory Parata has agreed a new one-year contract.

The 27-year-old Australia-born back has played 71 times for the club since joining from Italian side Zebre in 2018, having also spent time at Irish sides Munster and Connacht.

The English-qualified former Ireland Under-19s player has scored three tries in 15 appearances this season.

He follows props Marlen Walker and Jack Andrew and fly-halves Harry Bazalgette and Arwel Robson in signing a new deal.

"Rory is very modest and is one of those players who might seem underrated but is anything but," said Pirates joint-head coach Gavin Cattle.

"Very astute and intelligent, he just gives us that glue, and has ability to get the best of those players around him."

Dawson commits as Pirates sign Nelson

Ruaridh Dawson has played 16 games in his time at Cornish Pirates

Meanwhile Pirates scrum-half Ruaridh Dawson has also agreed a new one-year deal while also signing former Wales youth international hooker Morgan Nelson.

Dawson, 24, is a former Scotland Under 20 player and has made six starts and five replacement appearances this season.

"Ruaridh has been a gifted and popular member of the squad," said Cattle.

"Still young, he is a very good player who, with growth and ability to learn, undoubtedly has the potential to climb the same trajectory and step up another level."

Nelson will be available immediately for the Pirates and comes in after Tom Channon retired last week.

He has agreed a one-year deal having most-recently played for Cardiff Met in the British Universities Super Rugby championship.

He has also been part of the academy set-ups at both Worcester and Gloucester.