EXETER Chiefs centre Nick Lilley will make his Cornish Pirates debut tomorrow when they welcome much-fancied Ealing Trailfinders to the Mennaye Field (3pm) in Elior Champ Rugby.

The Pirates produced an impressive 45-19 success over Doncaster Knights in their opener on Sunday, September 20, but conceded a hatful of tries six days later at Coventry in a 73-40 defeat, a task not helped by injuries to certain players.

Ealing finished top of the regular table last year before being surprisingly beaten by Worcester Warriors in the semi-final, and will be keen to avoid a repeat of their last defeat to the Pirates which was five years ago tomorrow (October 3) when they were beaten 15-12 in Penzance.

Selection for the Pirates this weekend will see 20-year-old Lilley partner Harry Ascherl in the centre. The Plymouth-born player who is dual registered with the Chiefs and has represented England under 20s. He also made his first team debut for the Devon side in May 2025 against Northampton Saints at Sandy Park where became the Chiefs’ youngest ever professional try-scorer.

Tomi Agbongbon is not available for selection, so Hugh Bokenham slips back to the No. 8 position, whilst Matt Cannon, who last week came off the bench to make his 50th appearance for the club, will pack down alongside Milo Hallam in the second row.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow, joint head coach Alan Paver said: “Last weekend we were tired from the short turnaround, plus we had quite a lot of disruption in the build-up to the game and on the day itself. That said, every team have to deal with such things, and there is no choice but to get on with it.

“Yes, we have reflected, there were lots of other things in the game that we can learn from, and it’s a case now of being ready on Saturday to get right back on the horse. We are at home, the crowd will be behind us, and we have done it before. Of course it won’t be easy, but if we stay on task then there is no reason why we can’t do it again.”

CORNISH PIRATES v Ealing Trailfinders: 15 Henry Palmer; 14 Arthur Relton 13 Nick Lilley 12 Harry Ascherl 11 Josh Radcliffe; 10 Arwel Robson 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Alessandro Heaney 2 Morgan Nelson 3 Alfie Petch; 4 Milo Hallam 5 Matt Cannon; 6 Alex Everett (captain) 7 Jack Forsythe 8 Hugh Bokenham. Replacements: 16 Matt Pritchard 17 Jamie Clark 18 Osman Dimen 19 Josh King 20 Luke Ratcliff 21 Barnaby Elderkin 22 Will Becconsall 23 Finn Love.