News

Cornwall chief Neil Kelly has named his 21-man squad for Sunday’s history-making Betfred League 1 clash against Midlands Hurricanes. 

The sides facing off at Penryn’s Memorial Ground will be the first time in rugby league’s 126-year history that a professional match takes place in the Duchy.

With seated tickets already sold out meaning it’s standing room only at the Mem, Cornwall are set to be roared on by a crowd in excess of 1,000.

Last time out, the side went down 62-22 at League 1 title favourites North Wales Crusaders. Despite the loss in Colwyn Bay, Kelly’s troops battled back from 30-0 down to trail by just 12 points after 50 minutes.

And as the game entered its final stages, North Wales had only stretched the score to 38-22 before a late four-try salvo finally put the game out of Cornwall’s reach.

MIdlands, meanwhile, played their round two fixture 24-hours after the Choughs’ maiden fixture on Sunday and they were defeated 54-16 by Swinton Lions at Portway.

Kelly makes changes to the squad which travelled to Wales last week with Liam Whitton ruled out through suspension. The former Leeds Rhinos academy product was hit with a two-game ban but this news is tempered by Josh Tora’s return to full fitness after a hamstring strain.

Two new faces are added to the Cornwall squad in the shape of Wigan Warriors duo Toby Brannan and Adam Jones.

Both players have joined Cornwall on loan with Brannan a prop by trade and Jones a utility back.

Cornwall squad (from): Aaronson, Bolger, Brannan, Chard, Collings, Gilder, Hartshorne, Johns, Jones, Kay, Lloyd, Mullally, Purcell, Prisk (captain), Ray, Snell, Symons, Thomson, Tora, Trerise, Turton.