Cornish Pirates assistant coach Matt Jess, who joined the club’s coaching team in 2019, has left the club to take up a position near to his home in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Educated at Cape Cornwall School and growing up in Heamoor near Penzance, Matt played for Mounts Bay, Cornwall and England Counties, and as a speedy winger, noted also for his try-scoring ability, was nicknamed the ‘Heamoor Flyer’.
Following his time at Mounts Bay, Matt played for the Cornish Pirates, Newport Gwent Dragons and then the Cornish All Blacks before enjoying a long and successful career with Exeter Chiefs from 2008-2017. He has also been a player/coach in the past at Newton Abbot and a player at Taunton.
“Having been a former player, I thoroughly enjoyed my time back with the Pirates in a coaching role,” Jess said.
“Since my retirement from playing and becoming more attached to the club initially in 2018 on a part time basis, Gav and Paves have had a huge influence on my coaching on a positive level, supporting me 100 percent every step of the way. The working and playing environment they create is a testament to the efforts they put in not only on the pitch but off it.
“Further amazing memories have been created, and I will inevitably often visit to see my family – and to enjoy a coffee, a pasty – and a Jelberts!”
Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle said: “It has been a pleasure to see Matt develop in that transition from player to coach. He will be sorely missed, and his contribution has been greatly appreciated.
“Matt has an infectious enthusiasm, and we wish him well in his new role when he will, of course, after many commutes to and from Wales, be close to his family.”
[Featured image: Brian Tempest]