CORNISH Pirates director of rugby Ian Davies is happy with the position the side finds itself in currently - saying he expected them to be "fighting relegation" this season.

In a video interview uploaded to the Penzance-based club's website, Davies told interviewer Jenny Drummond he feels the season has so far gone better than expected.

"We have a really young squad with a few older players," Davies said.

"So we thought we'd be fighting relegation to be perfectly honest with you, but the boys have come together really well.

"Some of the younger players have certainly stood up due to injury maybe with the older players taking their chance.

"We've been a bit inconsistent, some really good wins and then some awful defeats, so we're doing better than we are and hopefully pushing for fourth place."

He went onto say most of this season's squad have agreed to stay on for another season.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed centre Alex Dancer and winger Matt Evans had signed new contracts.

Davies said: "Most of the guys are staying on for next year which is fantastic.

"We've said it's a two year programnme so the fact that they're staying on means can develop further again."