Following the recent Tamar Cup game the Cornwall coaches and selectors met to select their championship squad and captain.

Jake Murphy who has been an ever present over the past five seasons has been selected to lead Cornwall in this year’s county championship campaign.

The new Cornwall captain Jake Murphy said: “It is a great honour to be asked to lead your county and I want to thank the coaches and selectors for showing their faith in my selection.

"Having been a part of this squad for a number of years I know there are a lot of guys who could have been selected. I hope that all the supporters will get behind me and the team in the forthcoming campaign and that we can put on the performances that they wish to see.”

Jake Murphy is currently playing for Barnstaple in National League 2. He has previous experience as a captain when he led national one team Plymouth Albion last season. Jake also played for a number of years for the Cornish All Blacks at Polson Bridge. He earned his first Cornwall cap in 2012.

CRFU President Peter James said: “It is great to see such a stalwart member of the squad over a number of years being selected as the captain of Cornwall in this important season. It is an honour that few players get, not only to represent their county but to captain it as well. I am sure Jake will relish the challenge over the coming weeks.”

Cornwall face three fixtures during May against Surrey at Richmond RFC on the May 6, Devon again on the May 13 at Ivybridge RFC before the final game against Hertfordshire at Camborne RFC on the 20 May.

Chair of selectors Terry Carter said: “Our initial squad has changed slightly as other players come into contention whilst some others have left the squad through injuries and availability. We have again run our development squad this season and a number of guys have come into contention via this route.”

He went on to say: “Further players may be included at a later stage if injuries or form preclude selected players.”

Following the Tamar Cup game a number of training sessions have been programmed in for the build-up to the first game that takes place on Saturday, May 6.

Cornwall coach Graham Dawe said: “I am pleased to see Jake selected as the captain, he brings a wealth of experience not only in county rugby but at club level. A captain needs to be able to encourage, inspire and lead and Jake has all of those qualities.”