WHEN Cross Keys last played the Cornish Pirates in Penzance there was very little riding on it for them.

The Pandy Park side had already earned a home quarter-final in the British and Irish Cup by the time they took to the Mennaye Field on Sunday, December 18, 2011.

Things are a tad different this weekend; there will be no late night revelry ahead of the big game.

Keys have six points from two games – a pair of bonuses in defeat to Doncaster and a hard-fought win at Bedford last weekend – and increasing their tally will set them up nicely for the reverse fixtures in a month's time.

And the manner of last weekend's win against the Blues, when they worked their way up the field with the last play for Leon Andrews to cross and Dorian Jones to convert for a 23-22 success, means they head to Cornwall in fine spirits.

"It reminded me of when Nick Evans won it for Harlequins against Stade Francais with a drop goal, except we had to score a try," said head coach Greg Woods.

"We went through 30 phases before Leon went over – that's winning in style even if it's not good for the heart!

"But the boys were superb and it was a really good win and performance. We need that same attitude against the Pirates because we have got to take points there.

"The group is up for grabs and if we head home with something then we will be in a great position for the return game with them in November then the home game against Bedford and trip to Doncaster."

The Pirates are a third Greene King IPA Championship opponent on the spin and the hosts have no margin for error after suffering a pair of narrow defeats.

"I'd say that they are more similar to Doncaster," said Woods. "They have a big, heavy pack and the Mennaye Field isn't a fast track so it will be about physicality up front and winning the collisions.

"I was pleased that we took the game to Bedford in the second half but we'll have to do that from the start on Sunday."

Keys lose fly-half Dorian Jones to Dragons duty but he is replaced by Jason Tovey, who is 'sent to Coventry' after a passport mishap meant he missed last weekend's European win against Stade Francais in Paris.

Hugh Gustafson comes in for Phil Price at loosehead while openside Scott Matthews gets the nod after impressing off the bench at Goldington Road.

Cross Keys: G R Jones, A Hewitt, L Andrews, B Nightingale, P Uhi, J Tovey, L Jones, H Gustafson, D Hughes, D Young, S Andrews, D Hodge, J Skinner, S Matthews, A Powell. Replacements: J Howard, L Garrett, R Cornock, S Williams, R Tucker, J Leadbeater, J Cordy-Redden.