The Cornish Pirates have been quick to announce signings following the end of the season last weekend. The Pirates narrowly lost 32-31 away to Jersey Reds in their last game of the campaign.

The first signing signing is 6’ 7” lock forward Ed Scragg, who joins from Welsh regional side Dragons Rugby.

Aged 20, and having signed a one-year contract, he is a former Wales under 20s player who hails originally from Westbury in Wiltshire and qualified for Wales through his mother’s side of the family from Neath.

Ed’s early rugby was played for Trowbridge RFC and later, after playing football from the ages of 12-16, for Welsh Exiles, Dragons under 18s, Dorset & Wiltshire under 18s and 20s, and Cardiff Metropolitan University. He has also played for the Dragons ‘A’ side in the Celtic Cup.

The second player to agree terms is flanker Will Gibson.

Portsmouth-born, but raised in Cornwall, the 22-year-old former Helston and Penryn player, who has in the past played for Exeter Chiefs under 18s, Truro College and Cornwall under 20s, has captained Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2020/21 and was the BUCS Fans Player of the Year in 2019/20.

Lastly, the Pirates can confirm that centre/fly-half Joe Elderkin has signed a one-year contract with the club.

Joe, aged 22, made one appearance for the Pirates in a pre-season friendly played in against Exeter Chiefs in 2017, whilst in May this year he was used as a replacement in the fixture at home to Hartpury.

A former Truro School and Truro RFC youth team player, who has studied and played at Exeter University, Joe has represented Exeter Chiefs under 18s/Academy, has featured for the Chiefs in the Singha 7s, and for the Exeter Braves team. He has also played for Redruth, Plymouth Albion, and for Cornwall.

Leaving the club after three years contracted with the Cornish Pirates is full-back/wing Maliq Holden.

Liverpool-born, it was announced in May 2018 that the now 25-year-old had signed for the Pirates after having completed his Hartpury College and University education.

Maliq is also a former Netherlands international at under 17,18, and 19 levels, plus he has represented England Students and Bristol United in the A League.

A deserved recipient of the club’s ‘Most Improved Player’ award in 2020, and the ‘Community Player of the Year’ in 2021, in total Maliq made 29 appearances for the Cornish Pirates.