The Cornish Pirates might have seen their immediate hopes of promotion dashed but they have made six significant signings.
Six agree to join RFU Championship finalists
The Cornish Pirates might have seen their immediate hopes of promotion dashed but that has not stopped them making six significant signings for next season.
The Pirates saw their bid to move to a new stadium scuppered by Cornwall Council's decision to vote against assisting with the funding of the venture.
And with their currently home of the Mennaye Field below the current criteria required for promotion into the Aviva Premiership, the club look set to remain in the RFU Championship for the foreseeable future - despite reaching the final of the play-offs for a second successive season.
However the Pirates have bolstered their squad with the additions of Alex Cheesman, Junior Fatialofa, Kieran Hallett, Adam Clayton, Ben Prescott and Gary Johnson.
Experienced
Former England Sevens international Cheesman has had previous spells with Sale and Wasps, with the 23-year-old centre having also played in the Varsity match for Oxford University.
Joining Cheesman in the centres will be Fatialofa, with the New Zealand-born powerhouse returning to the club after a long spell at Bristol.
Former Ireland Under-21s fly-half Hallett makes the switch from Nottingham, while experienced prop Prescott also arrives from Meadow Lane after previously playing for Glasgow Warriors, Waterloo, Rotherham Titans and Northampton Saints.
Former London Irish A captain Johnson, who made more than 50 first-team appearances for the Exiles, including playing in the 2009 Premiership final, will add options across the back five of the scrum, while the signing of back-rower Clayton from Birmingham & Solihull has been confirmed.
