For  what should be an enthralling 2008-09 National One campaign, the Cornish Pirates have named a strong line-up for this Sunday's league opener against Newbury Blues at Camborne (ko 3pm).

Competition for places will have been keenly contested, and selection will no doubt have given the coaches a few headaches – which, in the words of Head Coach Mark Hewitt, “is no bad thing”.

The starting XV for Sunday, five of whom will be making their league debuts for the Cornish Pirates, looks to have a good balance of power, pace and flair, which are essential ingredients if the team is to flourish, with the bench and non-selected players also providing an impressive list of names.

As for Newbury Blues, former Saracens, Bath, Bristol and England back-rower Ben Sturnham was appointed as their Head Coach during the summer, him in charge of a Newbury squad showing many new faces.

Having been an Academy Coach at Bristol and Head Coach at Bristol University for four years, it is no surprise to see that Ben Sturnham has seemingly attracted a number of players to head east across the M4 from the west country.

Two former Pirates, wing Jonny Hylton and centre Marc Sweeney, are with the Berkshire club, but 'Hylts' misses out on a playing return to Cornwall as he is presently injured.

Gareth Griffiths, who was loaned from Bristol's Premiership Academy to Redruth last season and is a former England U19s international, is selected at fly-half.

Cornish Pirates:   A. Winnan (capt), A Havili, M. Ireland, S. Winn, M. Vakacegu, D. Sanft, E. Fairhurst, B. Bedes, C. Morgan, B. Cumming, B. Gulliver, H. Senekal, S. Heard, R. Elloway, A. Paver.

Replacements – D. Seal, D. Dawidiuk, M. Burak, I. Motusaga, N. Griffiths, T. Luke, R. McAtee.

Head Coach:   Mark Hewitt

Newbury Blues:   M. Williams, C. Perry, M. Sweeney, M. Humphries, A. Henderson, G. Griffiths, W. Gasson, S. Witcomb, S. Fox, R. Noonan, L. Perkins, I. Ascroft-Leigh, T. Fidler, P. Fincken (capt), R. Green.

Replacements – J. Burgess, J. Greenwood, M. Lee, N. Morris, N. Defty, T. Kessell, B. Stevenson.

Head Coach:   Ben Sturnham

Referee:   Nick Williams (RFU)

Touch Judges:   Steve Leyshon & Lloyd Jackson

---