Pirates relishing 'toughest' match against Ealing

Gavin Cattle's side currently sit sixth in the Champ table [Getty Images]

Cornish Pirates' upcoming match against Ealing Trailfinders is to be the club's "toughest" of the season, the club's joint-head coach has said.

Gavin Cattle's side head to West London on Saturday sitting sixth in the Champ table, and occupying the final play-off place after their impressive 57-21 win over rivals Chinnor.

However, Ealing are top of the league having won all 23 matches this season, and Pirates lost the reverse fixture 41-14 back in December.

"I think we can cause most teams in this league a bit of bother, but this is the toughest match in many ways," Cattle told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"They are unbeaten for a reason and, yes, they are well financed, but they are layered and have good coaching staff.

"Ealing are about as close as you can get to being Premiership ready," he told BBC Radio Cornwall.

Tomiwa Agbongbon, Matt Cannon, and Harry Yates are all on loan at the Pirates from Ealing and so would be blocked from playing on Saturday, Cattle said.

"It's also the hardest because we've had a few injuries and so we're at our weakest point in terms of availability."

But, Cattle added, there was still potential to clinch a bonus point if his side could score four or more tries in the match.

"We've got to chip away with those tries and score bonus points, and who knows what could happen.

"We are comfortable being called the underdogs, and if you're in the game in the last 20 minutes pressure can do some funny things."

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