Former Penryn youth rugby player Edd Pascoe has joined the Cornish Pirates ahead of the new season.

RNAS Culdrose navy officer Edd, who plays trombone with the Plymouth Royal Marines Band, was educated in Falmouth. The 24 year old has represented Cornwall at junior level.

On joining the Royal Marines, he took a break from playing, but began again with the Royal Navy under 23s and Gosport & Fareham RFC.

An invitation to attend the senior Royal Navy camp spurred him on and in his final season with Royal Navy under 23s he was delighted to captain the side.

He gained his first senior cap when used as a replacement against the French Navy, followed by starting in the back-row against the RAF and the Army at Rugby HQ, Twickenham.

Returning to Cornwall, he played for Redruth last season, which proved a great experience and helped him develop further as a player.

Still playing for the Royal Navy, he was part of the Royal Navy Team that won this year’s Inter-Services Championships and received a call-up to a UK Armed Forces side that played against Saracens in London.

Another Culdrose-based player, Fijian-born Timoci Kava (27), has also been recruited by the Pirates.

Timoci, or ‘Jimmy’ as he is sometimes called, was a star player in the HMS Seahawk side that lifted The Navy Cup this year, beating the Royal Marines 40 Commando from Taunton in the final.

Timoci, who works in the Logistics Department, first trained with the Pirates near the end of last season, before putting pen to paper this summer.

A recognised back-rower, he has also played in the centre, as well as a very useful sevens player, he is a physically robust performer with pace.

Timoci comes from a gifted rugby family. Two of his brothers and two nephews have played at a high level, and he himself has been a member of the Royal Navy squad.

Making the announcements at the Pirates training game against the ‘Pirate Amateurs’ and meet the players evening, the Cornish Pirates coach Alan Paver said: “We are very pleased to welcome Edd and Timoci on board, and our appreciation is expressed to the Royal Navy for enabling them to sign for us. Both hard-working and committed players, we are keen to aid their rugby development to enable them to realise their full potential.”