Olly Adkins: Gloucester prop agrees season-long Cornish Pirates loan

Olly Adkins' maiden try for Cornish Pirates came in a win at Coventry in January

Gloucester prop Olly Adkins will spend all of the 2022-23 season on loan at Championship side Cornish Pirates.

The 22-year-old spent the second half of this season on loan at the club, scoring one try in seven matches.

The former England Under-20 international played three Premiership Rugby Cup matches for the Cherry and Whites this season.

His arrival comes as former Wales Under-20 players Syd Blackmore and Ed Scragg leave the Pirates.

"Gloucester clearly see him as someone with a bright future and they naturally want to get him as much experience as possible, so a year-long loan works well not only for Olly and Gloucester, but also for us," said Pirates joint-head coach Alan Paver.

Lock Blackmore, 25, scored six tries for the Championship side in 13 appearances this season.

He moved to the Penzance-based club last summer having previously played for Championship rivals Ampthill.

Lock Scragg, 21, started one game for the Pirates this season, playing five more times as a replacement, having joined from Dragons last summer.

"Before signing for us Syd was highlighted as one of the most talented hookers in the league, and it was great that he was able to come on board," added Paver.

"Unfortunately, injuries struck at no fault of his own, which to a degree marred much of his season."

Paver added: "Ed is a player full of promise. When he arrived with us, we understood he was in his development, so we took it upon ourselves to gain him some exposure with Plymouth Albion.

"Playing time for us has been limited, but having said that he contributed well at training, and was unlucky not to get more game time."