SAM MATAVESI is back training with Plymouth Albion.
The 23-year-old Cornish-born Fijian international remains registered with South West One side Camborne, but Albion’s director of rugby Graham Dawe has not ruled out the prospect of Matavesi pulling on a Plymouth shirt again in the future.
Utility forward Matavesi, who has made more than 50 league and cup appearances for Albion, joined his hometown club Camborne in the summer for personal reasons and he has helped them to second place in South West One West.
Albion do have a good relationship with Camborne and have loaned them young back Ben Stean.
“Sam just asked if he could come training,” said Dawe, when asked about Matavesi’s presence at Brickfields on Wednesday night.
“He remains registered to play for Camborne, but it is good to have someone of his ability training with Plymouth as we want to make it as competitive as we can.
“At the moment he’s going to train with us on a regular basis and just see where it goes.”
Cornwall player Matavesi has had two previous spells at Albion, making his debut under Dawe as an 18-year-old in 2010. He then returned to Camborne, where he had played as a junior, before heading back to Albion in 2012. The 23-year-old, who should be available for Cornwall’s 2016 County Championship campaign, can play in the back-row or at hooker.
Meanwhile, England Under-20 scrum-half Jack Maunder looks set to join National Two South side Redruth to get game-time.
The 18-year-old (pictured) has been dual-registered with Albion from Exeter Chiefs, but has made just one bench appearance. Maunder was not available at the start of the season and has found himself behind Cameron Setter and Matt Shepherd.
Dawe said: “Cam Setter and Matt Shepherd have been fighting it out for the number nine shirt. Jack’s been training regularly but he’s missed out on selection because of the form of the other two.
“Jack’s got an England Under-20 season coming up and so he needs some game-time in a competitive environment.
“But the understanding with Exeter is that if one of our guys goes down he can come back.”