Pirates putting their faith in youth

GAVIN Cattle says the influx of Cornish youth has brought increased enthusiasm at Pirates which he describes as a 'pleasure to coach.'

- BEN JAYCOCK

Joint head coaches Cattle and Alan Paver have welcomed young graduates from BUCS Super Rugby, as well as players on loan from local Premiership team Exeter Chiefs into their arsenal.

Cattle, whose Cornish Pirates side have an average age of just 23, is fully behind the dual registrations Championship teams have with Premiership outfits which provide young top-flight players with regular second-tier minutes.

Ampthill have a partnership with Saracens, London Scottish with Harlequins, Northampton with Bedford and Leicester are linked with Nottingham.

Cattle told The Rugby "Naturally Paper: the age demographic has got younger which brings in a lack of experience but what I've seen is an increased enthusiasm.

When you've got enthusiastic players it's a pleasure to coach and I think you've seen some really good rugby in the Championship this year. Some of these young boys are here to build a reputation and we've certainly seen the positives of that.