With club captain Gavin Cattle injured in last Friday's game at Doncaster, the Cornish Pirates have reacted quickly to arrange scrum-half cover during Gavin's absence by signing Junior Poluleuligaga on a short term loan deal from Exeter Chiefs.

Aged 31, the New Zealand-born Samoan international joined Exeter in 2010 having previously played for Toulon, Harlequins and Waikato Chiefs.

Speaking with reference to the signing of Poluleuligaga, Cornish Pirates CEO Rod Coward said: “To have the ongoing, professional relationship with Exeter Chiefs that allows us to be able to approach them when injuries occur to key players and for us to get such a prompt response is hugely beneficial. We are confident that Junior will provide excellent cover at scrum-half during his time at the Pirates.”

Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has commented: "With Will Chudley coming in and doing so well; Haydn Thomas back from injury and Kevin Barrett also going well, an opportunity has arisen for Junior to get some extended game time to play what we believe is high level rugby.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for Junior, and we feel it's just what he needs right now because it can be difficult for scrum-halves and fly-halves, your kind of touch players in the team, to come in and out of sides if they are not playing regularly."