France-bound Houston thankful to Cornish Pirates

Former Ireland youth player Houston joined the club in October 2023 having been at Scottish side Heriot's

Bruce Houston says he is thankful for the chance Cornish Pirates have given him as he prepares to leave the Championship club.

The 25 year-old fly-half is to join French third tier side Union Sportive Bressane in the summer on a two-year deal.

It ends a two-season stay at the Mennaye which has seen Houston score 277 points in 46 games.

"I didn't want to turn it down," Houston told BBC Radio Cornwall of the chance to move. "It's always been an ambition of mine to go to France.

"I think it'd be wrong for me not to say how good the Cornish Pirates have been to me.

"They've been phenomenal and Gav [Gavin Cattle, Pirates joint-head coach] in particular has been so supportive of me and supported my goals as a player, what I want to achieve. I'm really excited for it."

Meanwhile Pirates have announced that hooker Matt Pritchard has agreed to stay at the club for next season.

The 22-year-old forward has made two appearances this season - scoring in both.