CORNISH Pirates have submitted an appeal over the RFU's decision to reverse the result from their British & Irish Cup match against Bedford Blues.

On October 12, the Pirates won 35-34 at the Mennaye thanks to a last minute converted try from Bertie Hopkin.

However, on Monday the competition's organising committee reverted the result to 34-28 in favour of the Blues as they deemed the Cornish club had breach a regulation regarding replacing front row players.

In the 72nd minute Tyler Gendall was forced off the field with what turned out to be an ACL injury and he was replaced by fly-half Hopkin, forcing the rest of the match to be played with uncontested scrums. 

The RFU say rules state if such an situation occurs when a front row has to go off and cannot be replaced with another player who can go in his position, then the team must field 14 men only.

After seeking legal advice, the Pirates decided to appeal with their chairman Ian Connell saying: "We have no complaints about the behaviour of Bedford, their officials and players with whom we enjoy competitive but cordial relations.

"It is felt, however, that an appeal is justified.

"There will be no further comment from the Cornish Pirates until after the appeal hearing, a date for which has yet to be fixed."