Rhys Williams and Jordan Gott Chart a New Course with Cornish Pirates

Royal Navy players, hooker Rhys Williams and fly half Jordan Gott join Josh Williams, with each signing a one-year contract with the Pirates as the bond between the Championship side and Inter Service Champions continues to grow.

Jordan said, "Signing for Pirates is massive for me, being able to train full time and focus fully on my rugby under the coaching staff at Pirates is something most players dream of.

The impact full time lads returning back into the Navy rugby camp is game changing, the increase in standard throughout the team is lifted, the lads bring all the details that help take the side to the next level, you only need to look at what having Jarrard [Hayler] & Sammy [Matavesi] involved did for the squad this year, my aim is to try do the same come February time.

I’m very thankful to both the Navy and Pirates for this opportunity, looking forward to the season ahead!"

Born in Belgium, utility back Jordan, aged 28, who has featured for Belgium in the Rugby Europe Championship and earlier for England under 18s Clubs & Schools, includes National league teams such as Taunton Titans and Plymouth Albion that he has played for in the past. In services rugby he has represented the UK Armed Forces side and the Royal Navy at both 15s and 7s, and a likely highlight was surely his man of the match performance at Twickenham back in May when he steered the Navy to the Inter-Services title with a first win over the Army since 2010.

Welcoming Air Engineering Technician Jordan on board, Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said, “Jordan is a versatile player, which is always useful. A utility back, who will be an asset to the squad this year, he is a fine kicker who possesses a good skill set.” 

Rhys said, "Signing for pirates for me is a great achievement and I’m very excited to learn and get all the experience while playing here. After a successful season with the Navy this year, this has given me all the confidence to play for the Cornish Pirates."

Royal Marine Commando Rhys, 29, from North Wales. He first played for Bangor RFC, and later for Bethesda RFC and then Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC), which is the regional representative team for the North Wales Rugby Development Region. A recent playing highlight, as per Jordan, was proudly representing the Royal Navy side that defeated the Army at Twickenham in May, while two further memorable playing occasions were back in 2017 when RGC produced the greatest achievement in North Wales rugby history in beating Pontypridd 15-11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, plus, in the same year, played Wales at their Eirias Park ground.

Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Alan Paver has commented, “Hooker, for us, is a critical position, and it is a pleasure to welcome Rhys to our fold. Besides this summer, he has trained with us briefly in the past and overall has a good insight as to what we are about. Our good relationship with the Royal Navy is one worthy to highlight, whereby they can develop the talent in their ranks, and we can also play a part. It is great for mutual benefit.”

We wish both players a successful stay at Mennaye Field.

Images by Cornish Pirates/Jarrad Hulm