Cornish Pirates v Saracens Pre-Season Friendly Report
Our 10 for the night
By saracensfan62
August 28 2026
Always nice to see a healthy win for the Wolfpack! We started off our season of rugby with a comprehensive win at the Mennaye. It was excellent that the pirates broadcasted this match on YouTube, many thanks to their media team for that one. Unbiased commentary also a blessing, please can we swap Austin healey and Andy goode for the pirates commentators? I was saddened I couldn’t make it to the Mennaye for this game but Friday night on bank holiday weekend in Cornwall presented a whole manner of problems travel wise, especially since I live virtually the opposite side of England. Ho hum. After a homemade oven baked pizza and a beer or two, I sat down to scope out how our team looked after preseason and what shapes/lines we could cut in attack. The team was an interesting one, with familiar faces and perhaps ones we don’t know quite as well. Vilikesa Nairau (last season signing rom Coventry I believe) was starting at loosehead, Eoghan Clarke (who I confess I’ve not heard of before) was at hooker, a talented young wing called Fraser Rawlins, new signing Alfie Barbeary at 8 (head shaved, ready to rumble) and Max Malins in his original position of fly half. A feisty team with the ball in hand and it was good to see more running rugby for the most part.
First Half
The game kicked off and it didn’t take long for us to go 10 up. One score from Angus Hall and another from Roti Segun meant we sprung into an early lead. Max was having an off day from the tee and could not convert either of the scores. From the off it appeared that the pack were carrying well and had the upper hand in the scrum, frequently getting a good shove on the Pirates feed and taking feet here and there at scrum time. The momentum shifted for a few minutes with the Pirates enjoying some good territory ball in hand, but Sarries almost managed an intercept to run clear but unfortunately knocked on and chance was gone. That seemed to be the way of the evening, a lot of intercepts. A similar thing happened few minutes later with Fraser Rawlings knocking on from the aerial challenge, Alfie B thought he had a clear run only for the whistle to be blown. I could sense the disappointment in him as he only had to beat the Pirates 15 to score, and Alfie runs like a rhinoceros on a rampage.
However, Pirates registered their first score thanks to a cheeky kick through from their 10 for the winger to dot down in the corner. 7-10 and suddenly the game looked closer. Straight from the receiving kick off clearance, Pirates defensive frailties were exposed by jack bracken. He sauntered through the defensive line gracefully and sprinted clear to score in the corner. Malins hit the post this time with his kick but no bother, the score was 7-15 and we looked a bit more in control. What’s more, Pirates lineout was not going to plan and they conceded a penalty for being offside. Sarries kicked to the corner and the resulting maul rumbled over with James Hadfield the recipient. 7-22 the score and sarries were slowly but surely stifling any pirates momentum they managed to find. Halftime rolled around and I expect the Pirates were grateful to head into the dugouts before sarries could register anymore points against them.
Second Half
The second half started much more stop and start than the first half, but we brought on numerous subs (Phil Brantingham, Fazza, Elliot Daly back from injury etc. Plus, a bonus was getting to see Tom James freshly in from Saints and playing good rugby. Daly was looking back to his sharp, elusive best, with a kick through almost working out for Sione Va’enuku but unfortunately fumbling the ball at the last moment.
Pirates almost scored from the off in the 2nd half but were denied thanks to some excellent defensive play from Jack Bracken. Pirates kicked the ball through as it went loose but then Bracks collected in his own try area, evaded numerous Pirates defenders and scarpered clear, reaching his own 22 before being stopped and smartly offloading to Daly. Sarries won a free kick from the resulting scrum and Faz sent a long kick to clear. Threat avoided. Reggie Hammick came on and started being a pest for the Pirates at the breakdown and was seemingly everywhere, ditto Sodeke who had an excellent game all round.
The game was turning very scrappy. Hugh Tizard knocked on a few metres out from the line, and it was interesting to observe the scrum turn the opposite way after the subs came on. Brants and newbie Corne Weilbach were struggling on what appeared to be a stodgy pitch (I think we can allow them both some leeway) but sarries were getting scrappier and mistakes were creeping in. As a result the pirates did get their 2nd of the evening, when sarries got penalised several times in the Pirates 22, once for not rolling and then for changing bind at the maul. From a kick to the corner and rolling maul, a full 15 man pirates effort led to a try and 14-22 the score became. Noticeably closer than what we’d have liked at the time.
However it didn’t take long to find a response from a bit of Farrell magic and some swift hands. Sarries had some possession and won a penalty in the Pirates 22. Tom james took a quick tap and go, swung the ball out to Farrell who made a pinpoint pass to Fraser Rawlins who dived and scored in the corner. Faz’s conversion was on the money and the score became a more reassuring 14-29 to us.
Summary
And it was like that the score stayed. I could here our travelling contingent loud and clear, so well done all those who went and cheered. You were heard. An entertaining game to watch and no doubt both sides take away positives and areas to work on. I for one was surprised at the strength of the scrum from the opposition (less impressed by their lineout) but they were resilient and scrappy to stay in the game. Thanks to the Pirates for a great friendly and as ever, well played wolfpack and COYS!
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I thought the Cornish Pirates did a great job with the stream and the commentators were remarkably even handed. The main guy had a bit of trouble with some of the players names but seemed like he had been called in last minute so perfectly forgivable.
Would be slightly concerned about your scrum albeit Carre, JG, Mawi et al to return.
Was good to see Brantingham back on the pitch.
Charlie Bracken looked good and still think he should have gone on Summer tour when McParland got injured rather than taking a crocked Spencer!
Didn’t think Malins offered much at 10, liked the Hartley/Hall centre partnership just would have been nice to see them with ball in hand more!
With over two teams worth of players rolling on and off the field, along with the, at times, heavy rain, it was never likely to be more than an exercise in testing out options, units, etc.; something the excellent report above covers.
Along with, hopefully, the benefits of the training week plus the meaningful hit out last night, the real successes of the week must include all the off field activity. In PR terms the Saracens squad made an enormously positive impact on the whole West Cornwall area, getting involved with joint sessions with the Pirates, supporting local charitable events, running coaching clinics for local youngsters, etc. Additionally, many, if not all, of the 'big' names not taking to the pitch were accessible to spectators pitch side before and during the game, with lots of excitement around Tomos Williams, Noah Caluori, Ben Earl and many others.
Saracens have undoubtedly won many friends this week, and the hope down here is that this is something they will aim to repeat. Very well done to all concerned!
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
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🌻🌻🌻
Quote:Flanker
Having moved to the Penzance area 7 years ago, I continue my near 50 year association with Saracens from a fair old distance. How wonderful then that they decided to visit me for a change this week, giving my wife and I the opportunity to see the team at close hand again!
With over two teams worth of players rolling on and off the field, along with the, at times, heavy rain, it was never likely to be more than an exercise in testing out options, units, etc.; something the excellent report above covers.
Along with, hopefully, the benefits of the training week plus the meaningful hit out last night, the real successes of the week must include all the off field activity. In PR terms the Saracens squad made an enormously positive impact on the whole West Cornwall area, getting involved with joint sessions with the Pirates, supporting local charitable events, running coaching clinics for local youngsters, etc. Additionally, many, if not all, of the 'big' names not taking to the pitch were accessible to spectators pitch side before and during the game, with lots of excitement around Tomos Williams, Noah Caluori, Ben Earl and many others.
Saracens have undoubtedly won many friends this week, and the hope down here is that this is something they will aim to repeat. Very well done to all concerned!
I live across the border, Cream First, and it is good to read that Saracens engaged in the local Penzance & Newlyn community, however I watch local news and listen to local radio and there was no mention of that, so Saracens PR team need to work maybe a bit harder.
As an aside, did any of the travelling Saracens support take up my suggestion for a visit to Argoe restaurant in Newlyn, or Silco restaurant in St.Ives?
It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
Quote:tigersimon
Would be slightly concerned about your scrum albeit Carre, JG, Mawi et al to return.
Was good to see Brantingham back on the pitch.!
During our season in the Championship Koch got tuned up at the scrum for a game and a half until he managed to get across to the refs the "dark arts" going on. Scrum is a different beast at that level.
In addition to the players you mention we also have Martin and Itoje to come in, who are the best scrummaging locks on our books.
As an aside, did any of the travelling Saracens support take up my suggestion for a visit to Argoe restaurant in Newlyn, or Silco restaurant in St.Ives?[/quote]
Without wishing to drag this chat into the dairy version of an unseemly brawl, it is worth noting that AI might well be located west of the Tamar, saying this about the subject - Cornish Method (Jam First): Spreads fruit jam directly onto the scone, then tops it with clotted cream for better balance and stability[i][/I]. Other opinions can be found!!!
I'm not aware of the take up of your dining advice by Saracen travellers Boomer, although the squad were based in St Ives, I believe, so they might well have frequented Silco Bar and Kitchen.
Also worth noting that the travelling support were in fine voice and added considerably to the game (as they always do)
Quote:tigersimon
Would be slightly concerned about your scrum albeit Carre, JG, Mawi et al to return.
Was good to see Brantingham back on the pitch.!
Pretty much what Sarrov says. At LooseHead and Hooker those were our 3rd and beyond options.
Scrum was well in control until subs at which point we were also took off our 2nd choice locks bar Tizard locks and 8 option who provides a fair bit of ballast.
I also think it's fair to point out that scrummaging in the Championship is also pretty good.
I think TightHead is a legitimate concern. If Weilbach isn't a legitimate starting option so we can rotate Street properly we may have a problem even before we start to consider the inevitable injuries.
Martin pushing can't hurt.