Cornish Pirates Flanker Will Gibson to Depart Club

Cornish Pirates flanker Will Gibson is slated to depart the club at the close of December. The 25-year-old, who has made 78 appearances for the Championship side since his arrival in 2021, is relocating to Australia. Gibson, a former Exeter Chiefs academy player, is scheduled to join Sydney University to compete in Australia’s Shute Shield. He had been a crucial component of the Pirates’ forward unit, particularly following injuries sustained by John Stevens and Alex Everett. Joint-head coach Alan Paver addressed Gibson’s move on the club’s website, stating: “Will now considers it the right time to enjoy a life experience alongside his partner Tara, and it is something he has planned.” Paver further elaborated on Gibson’s contributions, remarking: “For Will it’s a great opportunity for someone who was very talented and possessed incredible energy when he arrived at the club. “He’s been a good jackaler, with a bit of a Dave Ward about him, and he is someone who possesses a real sense of the game and how to win ball back.” Highlighting Gibson’s impact during player absences, Paver added: “Losing John (Stevens) and Al (Alex Everett) to injury early in the season were blows, but Will has certainly stepped up, as he always does, both on and off the field. “He has been outstanding and will be missed, but we’ll be watching him and, if he does return, we’ll pull him back in quickly.”