Cornwall captain Matavesi comes 'full circle'

"That's a hell of a base of great experience and people that can still do it, and then you add in all the youngsters, it's a very special blend," Matavesi said of the squad, which has a friendly against an Exeter Chiefs XV this weekend.

"I think you forget how many Cornish players there are. If people like Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie were available, I think they'd definitely play, because everyone's proud to play for Cornwall and it's a massive thing.

"For me, especially being named captain, it's trying to get the best out of everyone in that group."

Camborne's dominant side won the National Two West title this season [BBC]

Matavesi and his brother are two of 21 Camborne players in the Cornwall squad aiming to win the Bill Beaumont Cup.

The National Two West champions secured promotion to the third tier of English club rugby last month.

"I had some opportunities last year to maybe explore something else and I'm so glad now that I've come home to Camborne and the year we've had," added Matavesi, who helped Northampton win the Premiership in 2024.

"Then you get the opportunity to represent your county that we're so proud of to be from, and also who we grew up watching and the players that I've seen play for Cornwall.

"I remember watching them at Camborne and thinking 'wow this is a whole new level' and you're just in awe of the players.

"It does come full circle and we've been lucky all year to play against each other, to bounce off each other, to sometimes argue and not agree on things together.

"I think the coaching set-up is great, I think the squad Cornwall have got is young, is experienced, there's plenty of class in there, so it's exciting on all fronts."

Related internet links

• Cornwall RFU