Cornish Pirates have welcomed three new additions ahead of the new season.

Matt Cannon and Harry Yates join on loan from Ealing Trailfinders, while James French makes his way from Ulster.

The first is a 22-year old Hertfordshire native and plays as lock/backrower, while Yates, 23 from Kingston upon Thames, is a centre.

Cannon has a reputation of being a diligent player and was formerly a part of the Saracens Academy Under-18s.

He has also played for Old Albanians, Hertfordshire, and Brunel University where he held the position of chairman of the rugby society.

Yates has played most of his rugby in northern areas, with former clubs including Harrogate, Northumbria University, and Darlington Mowden Park.

He has also represented the Apache 7s and Speranza 7s teams.

(Image: Cornish Pirates)

Commenting on the new additions, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: "Continuing our good relations with Ealing Trailfinders sees these two young players pleasingly arrive with us on loan.

"Matt is a big and physical forward who is keen and hardworking.

"He is looking to progress his game and make an impression at Championship level so we will be naturally keen to play our part.

"Harry joined the Trailfinders halfway through last season from Darlington Mowden Park.

"His presence will also create a lot of competition in his area within the squad, which is always a good thing."

(Image: Cornish Pirates)

The latest sign up is 25-year old Cork-born prop, James French.

French, a former All-Ireland schoolboy shot put champion, who started his rugby playing career as a centre before transitioning to back-row, and then to prop.

He played in the Ireland Six Nations Under 20s Championship in 2018, later joining the Munster academy and was subsequently promoted to the senior squad in 2021-2022.

Before joining the Cornish Pirates, French had a stint with Ulster.

On the arrival of French, the Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Paver said: "James has a great profile and although still a young man has been in some top-class environments.

"A player who has a chance to be a frontrunner week in and week out, because of the growth still left in him, and because of our experience in helping push on such gifted young players, we are very much looking forward to getting James in and to get him up and running".