Cornish Pirates adapting to 'disjointed' start to Championship season

Cornish Pirates captain John Stevens returns after missing the start of the league campaign with injury

Cornish Pirates coach Louis Tonkin says the club are trying to adapt to the "disjointed" nature of their season.

The club return to action on Saturday when they host Caldy - three weeks after their last game, due to a bye week and the cancellation of their fixture at liquidated Jersey Reds.

"It's been difficult to keep momentum and get momentum," Tonkin said.

"We're pretty much three weeks on, one week off for the rest of the year really, so it is a bit disjointed."

The Pirates, who also missed a Premiership Rugby Cup game because of Jersey's demise, are eighth in the Championship, having won one and lost the other of their opening two league games.

They host Caldy at the Mennaye on Saturday as they aim to move into the top half of the 11-team league.

"We've just got try and focus on ourselves and get the show back on the road on Saturday, and see if we can build some momentum up until Christmas," he added to BBC Radio Cornwall.

"John Stevens, our captain, has come back to health which is great, and a couple of guys who didn't quite make this week hopefully can come back in the next couple of weeks.

"That's been really valuable for us and we can get some experience back, which would be great."