The Cornish Pirates can now confirm the first group of players who have signed new contracts for the club.

A first five who have put pen to paper are hookers Rob Elloway and Tom Channon, centre Alex Dancer, and utility backs Kieran Goss and Mike Pope.

Rob, aged 30, joined the Pirates from Gloucester in 2007, and has performed consistently well since. He has to date made 176 appearance for the club.

Devonian Tom is enjoying his first season in Cornwall, having arrived here last summer from Bristol. A strong running forward, he is 23 years of age and has featured in 19 games.

The three backs, who also joined the Pirates last year and are all in their early twenties, have impressed with their attitude and development. Alex is a former England Students player who has been hampered by injury, but is now fully fit and has played in nine matches, whilst Kieran and Mike have both been regulars on the team sheets. South African Kieran has scored eight tries in his 19 appearances, and Bournemouth-born Mike, who has been all but ever present, has impressively played in 23 matches and scored three tries.