Cornish Pirates add to squad ahead of new season

Pirates joint-head coach Gavin Cattle (left) welcomed newest signing Will Rigelsford to the club

Cornish Pirates have signed Royal Navy scrum-half Will Rigelsford and brought in Exeter lock Eoin O’Connor on loan.

Rigelsford, 26, who has captained the Royal Navy sevens side and played for the UK Armed Forces team, featured in all three of the club's pre-season matches.

O'Connor, who is 24, is a former Ireland youth international who joined Exeter from Munster last summer but has yet to break into the first team.

Both come in ahead of Pirates' opening Championship game of the season at Nottingham on Friday evening.

“Training pre-season with us on trial, Will has shown he has a great work ethic and a lot of character, and we are delighted to officially welcome him into the squad," joint-head coach Gavin Cattle told the club website.

“We feel he is someone who will benefit from a fulltime environment, whilst his signing also helps maintain that special relationship we have with the Royal Navy."

Fellow coach Alan Paver added: “We are delighted to bring someone of Eoin’s quality into our squad. Not only are we in need of such a quality second-row but it will also be an experience and opportunity for the guys around him to learn.

“No doubt he’ll be chomping at the bit to get some game time to keep his rugby journey going, and warmly welcoming him to Cornwall and to the Mennaye we expect him to fully enjoy his time with us.”