Cornish Pirates
Cornish Pirates are a men's rugby club founded in 1945 who play in the Champ Rugby (Championship) (Tier 2). Their home ground is The Mennaye, which holds 4,000.
Last updated May 2026
Key facts
| Founded | 1945 |
|---|---|
| League | Champ Rugby (Championship) |
| Tier | Tier 2 |
| Head coach | Gavin Cattle |
| Home ground | Mennaye Field (The Mennaye) |
| Capacity | 4,000 |
| Nearest station | Penzance |
| Matchday pub | Clubhouse bar at Mennaye Field |
| Official website | https://cornish-pirates.com/ |
Honours
- British and Irish Cup winners in 2009-10
Club history
The club was formed on 22 September 1945 as Penzance & Newlyn RFC by amalgamation of Penzance RFC (1876) and Newlyn RFC (around 1894-95) with a first match against Guy's Hospital.
The team adopted the playing name Cornish Pirates for the 2005-06 season as part of a wider rebrand and Premiership-push project.
In 2009-10 the Pirates won the inaugural British and Irish Cup beating Munster A 23-14 in the final at the Recreation Ground Camborne.
After years of planning Cornwall County Council withdrew funding for the proposed Stadium for Cornwall in 2022 and the development was abandoned leaving the club at the Mennaye Field in Penzance.
Recent seasons
The Stadium for Cornwall project was abandoned in June 2022 after Cornwall Council withdrew its funding contribution.
Gavin Cattle continued as joint head coach alongside Alan Paver through the early-2020s Championship seasons.
The Pirates finished 2nd in the 2023-24 RFU Championship in their best-ever league season.
Between 2018 and 2022 the Pirates posted Championship finishes of 4th 5th 3rd 4th and 3rd.
Notable players
Club legends
- Gavin Cattle
- Alan Paver
- Drew Locke
- Tom Kessell
Current squad
- Alex Everett
- James French
- Ben Cambriani
- Morgan Nelson
- Angus Mawson
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Frequently asked questions
When were Cornish Pirates founded?
Cornish Pirates were founded in 1945.
Where do Cornish Pirates play?
Cornish Pirates play at The Mennaye, which holds 4,000. The nearest station is Penzance.
What league do Cornish Pirates play in?
Cornish Pirates compete in the Champ Rugby (Championship), tier 2 of English rugby's league structure.
What have Cornish Pirates won?
Cornish Pirates's honours include British and Irish Cup winners in 2009-10.
Who is the Cornish Pirates head coach?
Cornish Pirates are coached by Gavin Cattle.
Other Champ Rugby (Championship) clubs
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