The Cornish Pirates' lock Steele Barker will be joining Premiership outfit Bristol Bears at the start of next season.
The 23-year-old has had a significant impact on the Pirates since he joined in 2021, having made 35 appearances so far.
After his studies at the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus, Barker played rugby at Penryn, then for Redruth, and eventually joined the Cornish Pirates.
His journey from the Yorkshire Carnegie Academy to the south has been marked by resilience and steady development.
Alan Paver, joint head coach, shared his thoughts on Barker's departure.
Mr Paver said: "Steele really is a great lad who has come on leaps and bounds from the young man from university who turned up as a gritty northerner.
“After sending him to Redruth to learn his trade, Steele grabbed that opportunity with both hands, and working alongside the likes of Louie Tonkin, he has developed into a fine forward.
"He calls the lineout, is very astute, and having developed physically is also tough and athletic".
He continued: “Yes, we would have naturally loved to have kept Steele for another season under tutelage of the Cornish Pirates, but I think now is the right time for him and we know that he will be looked after well at Bristol by Chris Morgan.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here