Matavesi’s ineligibility overshadows Cornwall’s victory in Surrey

Cornwall will have to play this year’s County Championship campaign without former Fiji defender Josh Matavesi after he was declared ineligible for the Bill Beaumont Cup.

The 33-year-old has played much of this season at hometown club Camborne, before a spell at the Red Hurricanes in Osaka.

But the move abroad has made the former Bath, Exeter, Worcester and Racing metro player ineligible despite training with the county side.

Cornwall ran out 55-0 winners over Surrey in their opening game on Saturday.

“He chose to have the opportunity to go back to Japan, just for a couple of games, a little while ago and then he wanted to re-register for Camborne,” Cornwall chairman of selectors Kevin Thomas told BBC Radio Cornwall.

“We’ve been working pretty steadily with the RFU over a period of two or three days looking at the laws and regulations and unfortunately they’re very clear that once you leave our union you’re playing outside the English union if you want to come back . then you had to be back by March 1st.

“It’s a great shame because Josh is a great leader for the team and has helped us develop and shape the game, but unfortunately we have to play by the rules.”

The rules state Matavesi cannot re-register at Camborne until July 1, ruling him out of the entire campaign.

“We’d love to have Josh involved for the rest of the campaign in a leadership role, even if he can’t play,” added Thomas.

On the field, Cornwall played in eight tries, captain Ben Priddey bagging a second-half hat-trick in their win over Surrey.

Fly-half Fraser Honey kicked 15 points for the Black and Gold in a win that puts them in a strong position ahead of a trip to reigning champions Kent next week.

Kent beat Hampshire 32-30 in the other group game, setting up a tie that could decide who reaches Twickenham next month.

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