Cornish Pirates: Opening games key to Championship campaign - Alan Paver

Cornish Pirates face London Scottish for a second successive match, having beaten them 50-14 in their final Premiership Rugby Cup game

Cornish Pirates joint-head coach Alan Paver says the club's opening two games of the Championship season are key to their hopes for a good campaign.

Pirates begin with two home games as they start the season against London Scottish on Friday, before hosting Bedford eight days later.

The club have not played a home game since their opening Premiership Rugby Cup match against Bath on 8 September.

Their second home cup game was called off after Jersey Reds went bust.

"If we're looking to put our stamp on the league and finish in the position that we think we're capable of, you've got to look at two home games and you've got to be coming away with wins," Paver told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"We don't take that for granted, but at home any team must be looking to pick up the win there."

Pirates beat Scottish when the sides faced one another in the capital in the cup two weeks ago - in their last Premiership Rugby Cup tie.

And Paver says that competition - where they also faced top-flight clubs - was good preparation for the league campaign.

"We did enjoy the cup, and because there were some exciting games in there - having Bath at home and playing Exeter away, it does freshen things up, the guys do get excited for it and it does give us a different focus," he added.

"These teams are that league above and they stretch us physically and pace-wise, which is great for us, so it's been a welcome competition, but starting later in the league does feel a bit strange.

"That said we're just getting on with it and we've had our normal windy and rainy training sessions."