Despite beating Esher 54-6 at the Mennaye Field back in October, the Cornish Pirates are expecting a much sterner test this Saturday.

Tenth placed Esher, who were given a lift when they beat Rotherham Titans 23-19 in a thriller of a game played at Molesey Road on Saturday, still have a chance of making the top eight, and they will likely give it their all this weekend.

For the third placed Pirates, after a busy month in January, when they won three and lost three games, it's a chance to get February off to a good start and bounce back from their 30-33 Championship loss to Worcester.

Following the game against the Warriors, backs coach Harvey Biljon commented: "I don't think our momentum has been knocked and we'll look at this coming Saturday's game away to Esher as a chance to continue where we left off. Our squad has worked really hard this season, which will be the case right to the end."

The Pirates backs selected are the same as started against the Warriors, but there are a number of changes in the pack.

The club's top try-scorer, Phil Burgess, will lead the side for the first time, whilst there is a welcome return to fitness for club captain Gavin Cattle, who is named on the bench.

Cornish Pirates: R. Cook, G. Pointer, M. Hopper, S. Winn, W. Davies, J. Bentley, J. Doherty, P. Burgess (capt), T. Holmes, S. Betty, M. Myerscough, I. Nimmo, C. Rimmer, R. Elloway, R. Storer.

Replacements: P. Andrew, D. Ward, A. Paver, L. McGlone, K. Marriott, G. Cattle, D. Locke.