County Championship: Cornwall hope the experienced stars can help the title bid

Long-serving Cornwall defender Matt Shepherd says the addition of experienced players could help Duchy reclaim their county championship title.

Camborne-born Fijian center Josh Matavesi, former England Sevens forward Mark Bright and Jersey scrum-half Aaron Penberthy are among the names vying for selection for Cornwall’s Bill Beaumont Cup opener in Surrey .

Cornwall missed out on the final of the competition for only the second time in the last nine editions last season.

“There’s some talent there and guys who have played a good level of rugby,” Shepherd told BBC Radio Cornwall.

“He’s an ace for the younger guys, they’ll learn from them and with Josh training the last couple of weeks it’s been really good.

“He gave his input and worked alongside Marek Churcher and Chris Fuca and Graham Dawe was really good.

“You’ll learn how other guys play and how Cornwall want to play – the DNA – we’ve got a special DNA and we’re not trying to stray too far from that.”

Shepherd has been part of four sides that have won the County Championship since his debut in 2013, helping Cornwall make seven trips to Twickenham.

After an opening trip to Surrey, Cornwall face another long day away to Kent a week later before finishing the group stage with a home game against Hampshire in Redruth on June 1.

“We have to go into Kent with an open mind and not dwell too much on last year,” Shepherd added.

“I think it was a bit of a kick in the teeth that we probably should have won that game and we didn’t and they went on and won.

“So we’re going to put our best foot forward and go for it.”