JASON LEONARD CUP U.20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
By Bill Hooper, photos Simon Bryant Iktis photo
Cornwall U20s Team Building 181118
Cornwall Rugby Football Union (CRFU) Under 20 County Championship campaign 2019 gets underway with their first fixture in the Jason Leonard Cup. Cornwall host neighbours Devon in the first pool game of this season on Sunday February 3rd at St Austell RFC.
Cornwall can call on nine of the squad that were originally picked to face Yorkshire in last season’s final at Twickenham, whilst a tenth, Launceston’s Torin Clarke, misses this opening game due to injury.
CRFU President Peter James said, “It is great to get this year’s campaign off with a home tie against our neighbours Devon, who won promotion to the Jason Leonard Cup last season. We thank all our sponsors and St Austell RFC for their support in hosting this group of players in this important game representing Cornwall”
The game kicks off at 13:30 at Tregorrick Park, home of St Austell RFC with entry of £5, including a programme, for adults and Under 16’s gaining free entry.
Coach Josh Lord said –“This will be a good test for this new set of young players and the experienced guys remaining from last season. Although we have had two warm up games we are in a different ball game now that the Championship is underway”
Cornwall Captain Jack Hodge said; – “It is an honour to be asked to captain the side for this first game against Devon. I know the guys are up for a tough game as always but have trained well in preparation for the game”
Cornwall‘s second pool game will be away to Hampshire at Overton RFC with a 13:00 kick off on Sunday February 24th The final pool game will again be hosted by St Austell RFC on Sunday 17th March where the opponents will be Gloucestershire.
The CRFU Representative Rugby Chair, Chris Lea said; -”The vagaries of U20 rugby mean we can lose up to 50% of our squad every year through age qualification. There are a number of these guys who will be around for the next two seasons and we are always on the lookout at new talent who can come into the squad and join them over the coming seasons”
Cornwall Squad
| 1 | Jack Hodge ( Captain) | Redruth |
| 2 | Rory Mead | Bude |
| 3 | Chae Jenkins | Launceston |
| 4 | Dan Goldsmith | Launceston |
| 5 | Stan Somers | Falmouth |
| 6 | Will Gibson | Cardiff Met |
| 7 | Aden Brassington | St Ives |
| 8 | Jamie Eddy | Pirates Amateurs |
| 9 | Owen Davey | Truro |
| 10 | Will Trewin | Cardiff Met |
| 11 | Reuben Edwards | Launceston |
| 12 | Connor Gilbert | Redruth |
| 13 | Jake Penprase | Bath Uni |
| 14 | Alistair Harding | Falmouth |
| 15 | Aaron Simmonds | Redruth |
| 16 | Harry Lightfoot | Launceston |
| 17 | Mawgan Osborne | P&N Colts |
| 18 | Noah Stanier-Smith | Camborne |
| 19 | Alex Bartlett | Launceston |
| 20 | Jamie Murray | Redruth |
| 21 | Adam Long | Camborne |
| 22 | Ben Plummer | St Austell |
| Travelling reserves | ||
| 23 | Eddy Hall | Pirates Amateurs |
| 24 | Olly Matthews | Wadebridge Camels |
| 25 | Cain Worley | Liskeard & Looe |
| 26 | Joe Vanstone | Launceston |
| 27 | Kyle Bradley | Penryn |
| 28 | Lawrence Armstrong | Launceston |
Coaches – Josh Lord + Richie Kevern
Medical cover – Dr John Garman, Sam West + Graham Ashton
Kit – Paul Hurrell, Colin Hatch
