Jack Andrew

Jack celebrates 10 years as a Pirate

Standing at 6' 4'' (1.93m) and weighing 18st 10lb (119kg), it's no understatement to say that 32-yearold Jack Andrew has physical presence. If you were running towards him with a rugby ball in your hands, most sensible people would simply hand it over wishing him a nice day in the process. But as a professional rugby player, who this year celebrates his 10th anniversary playing for the Cornish Pirates (the only professional club in the county), that's Jack's day job.

It must be said, as large as he is on the pitch - off the pitch you'd be hard pressed to find a nicer, softer spoken and gentler man. That said, as you'd expect for a professional rugby player Jack is fit, very fit indeed - he'd still beat most of us in a 50m sprint!

Jack is married to Probus born Emma with a four year-old son, and 15 month old twin daughters. He was raised in St Mawes, went to The Roseland Academy and following in his fathers and big brother Paul’s footsteps, started playing for St Austell RFC at Under 11s. He moved to Truro College at U15s, then joined the SW Rugby Academy at Truro College. In 2009 Jack, by then captain of the first team, led them to win the National Schools Cup at Twickenham in front of 20,000 supporters. Not a bad experience for a 19 year old.

In 2010 Jack joined Exeter Chiefs Academy to start learning his trade as a professional rugby player. He spent three years with the Chiefs, playing regularly on loan at Launceston RFC, before spending a season with Plymouth Albion. In 2013 he moved to the Cornish Pirates and has since made over 200 first team appearances. Jack mainly plays as loosehead prop, although is sometimes called to tighthead side.

One of the many highlights in Jack's career to date was the 25-17 win over Saracens in March 2021, where he played opposite World Cup winning South African Vincent Koch. Sadly, that was in the depths of the pandemic and the Mennaye Field was closed to supporters.

When asked how the pandemic has impacted him, Jack replied that his fitness has improved as running was one of the few things allowed during lockdown. He’s now lighter, stronger and much fitter than before. Playing competitive matches without supporters was obviously difficult and it’s now great to have the home crowd back at the Mennaye Field.

After a decade at the Pirates, this is Jack's testimonial year that culminates on Saturday 27th May in a testimonial match at the Mennaye ground. The game will be between the Jack Andrew 15 vs Cornish Pirates 15. A large Probus contingent is expected to make their way to Penzance for this match and everyone is invited to what will be a good family fun day. Kick off at 1 pm. Adult entrance is £12 with free entry to under 16s. Tickets available via https:// cornish-pirates.com or at the gate.

Some of the players who will play at Jack's testimonial include: Alan Paver and Gavin Cattle (his coaches at Pirates), Josh Matavesi (Fiji international), Darren Dawidiuk (Gloucester, London Irish and Bristol), Kyle Moyle (Gloucester), Darren Barry (Worcester) and Chris Morgan. All have played for the Cornish Pirates at some time, and some may not have had the send off they deserved, so it’ll be a good opportunity to see them run out once more, albeit in a friendly. The game will be supporting the local teenage mental health charity Invictus Trust Cornwall.

If you can’t make the testimonial, Jack has also arranged a golf day for Friday 23rd June. Email ja1testimonial@gmail. com for details.

All images with kind permission of Brian Tempest.