THE Cornish Pirates will aim to continue their superb home form when they welcome Chinnor to the Mennaye Field tomorrow (1pm) in Elior Champ Rugby.

The Pirates have seen off Doncaster and title favourites Ealing Trailfinders in West Cornwall, but head into the clash having been soundly beaten 38-14 last weekend at Bedford Blues. They had lost their first away fixture 73-40 at Coventry.

However, the Pirates have some new faces for the clash which will see the talismanic figure of Hugh Bokenham make his 50th appearance for the Pirates.

With certain unavailability, Will Becconsall is selected at full-back in place of Henry Palmer, who is named on the wing, and Josh Radcliffe moves into the centre to partner Harry Ascherl as Nick Lilley is out.

Matt Pritchard starts at hooker in place of Morgan Nelson and two players from Exeter Chiefs are named among the replacements. Both backs, they are former England under 20s international Ben Coen, who made one appearance for the Pirates last season, and Kiwi Charlie Poynton who has arrived at the Mennaye Field on loan.

Speaking ahead tomorrow, joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: “We were very disappointed with our loss at Bedford last Saturday, as we were when we lost away to Coventry, yet to date we have put in two strong showings at home.

“Bedford are a good side, but I was just disappointed in our lack of consistency and level of performance in certain areas, which is something we must together learn from as we dust ourselves off and get ready to go again.”

On the challenge Chinnor provide, Cattle added: “They have only played at the level for a relatively short time, but they were the most improved team in the division last year.

“Recruiting well again, I think Nick Easter is doing a very good job, and with a good framework they like to get stuck in. It means we’ll have to reach the levels we achieved against Doncaster and Ealing, as they’ll be very difficult opponents.

“Hopefully, our crowd will play a part, because our supporters have been fantastic, and especially so against the Trailfinders. The volume of the new stand has also gone up, as it reverberates around, and every week the ground is looking better.”