The Cornish Pirates has announced that coach Louie Tonkin will leave the club at the end of the season.

It has been confirmed that he will move to Ealing Trailfinders after accepting a coaching role.

This will end Mr Tonkin's near three year spell at The Pirates.

He joined as assistant coach one month after Chris Morgan's departure to Worcester Warriors in August 2021.

A Cornwall native but raised in Wales, Louie Tonkin had a robust career playing for UWIC RFC, Swansea, Coventry, and Llandovery.

Addressing the news, joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: "We would like to thank Louie for his tremendous input at the Cornish Pirates, where he has had a massive impact after filling big shoes left following Chris Morgan’s departure back in 2021.

“When he leaves at the end of the season Louie will be missed, however we will all naturally extend best wishes to him and his teacher wife Hayley for the future.”

Falmouth Packet: His near three year spell with the club will end at the end of the season (Credit: Brian Tempest)

On his departure from The Pirates, Louie Tonkin said: "A decision to leave the Cornish Pirates at the end of the season hasn’t been easy but when making such decisions you must consider your family and your future.

"Ultimately the ambition and professionalism at Ealing is very impressive and that matched my ambition as a coach and person.

“Having arrived at the Cornish Pirates from an academy role, I am very grateful that Gav and Paves (joint head coaches Gavin Cattle and Alan Paver) gave me such an opportunity and opened the door to me fully".

He continued: "It has certainly been a fantastic few years and I will forever be indebted to them.

"They gave me respect and helped me grow as a coach and as a person, plus it was incredible how the players and supporters also welcomed me.”