The rivalry between Cornish Pirates and Exeter Chiefs has a long history in English rugby. Both teams have faced off in various competitions, including the Premiership Rugby Cup. However, the upcoming match on Friday night has added significance as both sides seek to recover from poor starts this season.
Exeter, a two-time Premiership champion and former European titleholder, is struggling with their worst-ever run in the league. They have lost all six of their games this season. Director of rugby Rob Baxter is now focusing on cup matches as an opportunity to turn their fortunes around.
Meanwhile, the Cornish Pirates, who finished second in the Championship last season, have also faced challenges, losing their last four matches. This matches the total number of losses they had throughout their entire previous campaign.
“We’re both having parallel seasons in our own contexts,” said Pirates joint-head coach Gavin Cattle on BBC Radio Cornwall. He expects Baxter to field a strong team to help Exeter regain momentum. “It’s a big ask for our lads, but the application I’ve seen this week is encouraging. Any player wants to perform well against a Premiership team, so the boys will be pumped for this.”
This match marks the second competitive encounter between the two clubs since Championship teams joined the Premiership Rugby Cup last season. The Pirates lost 38-13 to Exeter at Sandy Park last September and were defeated 46-24 in a pre-season game in August.
The last time the Pirates won against Exeter in a competitive match was in February 2010, when they triumphed 34-17 in the British and Irish Cup. The Pirates went on to win that trophy, while Exeter secured promotion to the Premiership.
It’s been 17 years since Exeter lost a league match to the Pirates, with the last defeat occurring in October 2007.
Exeter’s director of rugby, Rob Baxter, reflected on the challenge ahead. “I’ve experienced both wins and losses against them,” he said. “We’ve always celebrated those victories because they were significant when we were both in the Championship. This match will be another good challenge.”
Given Exeter’s recent form, the trip to Cornwall offers a chance to regain confidence against a team in the league below. “It’s a challenge for us, especially with our current situation,” Baxter added. “But we need to stay positive. If we manage to navigate this tough period, we can look back and say we came through it.”
This is the second season of the Premiership Rugby Cup in its current format, featuring teams from the top two tiers. For Championship sides, it provides an opportunity to attract large crowds and possibly pull off an upset. Last season, Championship winners Ealing reached the semi-finals after defeating top teams.
Cattle noted the excitement of the competition. “It’s like the FA Cup, where a lower team can face a higher-ranked opponent. With the local rivalry between Cornwall and Devon, it adds to the excitement and pride at stake.”
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