Cornwall captain Matavesi comes 'full circle'

Sam Matavesi says he is relishing the chance to captain Cornwall as they prepare for their County Championship campaign.

The Fiji international and former Northampton, Lyon and Cornish Pirates player helped Camborne win promotion to National One this season.

He leads the county side, having helped the Duchy win the 2016 title and reach the final at Twickenham again a year later.

"I grew up watching the Cornwall teams in Camborne and Redruth, and it's something I always wanted to do, play for Cornwall," the 34-year-old told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"But to captain Cornwall is a massive honour, it's something I'm very proud of.

"When I played for Cornwall quite a few years ago we got to Twickenham. To come full circle again and play for Cornwall... I think it was 2016 when we won the cup.

"I think it's just such a unique thing and you get to play with players that you haven't played with before, you've played against that are new, so the environment's good, it's been fresh and I've enjoyed it."

Matavesi leads a Cornwall side heavy on talent as they prepare for a two-legged clash with reigning champions Kent to decide who goes to Twickenham to face either Lancashire or Yorkshire for the Bill Beaumont Cup.

His brother - former Bath and Fiji player Josh - is also in the side, as is ex-Exeter and Ealing full-back Max Bodilly, former Gloucester back Kyle Moyle and Royal Navy and Cornwall stalwart Ben Priddey.

"That's a hell of a base of great experience and people that can still do it, and then you add in all the youngsters, it's a very special blend," Matavesi said of the squad, which has a friendly against an Exeter Chiefs XV this weekend.

"I think you forget how many Cornish players there are. If people like Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie were available, I think they'd definitely play, because everyone's proud to play for Cornwall and it's a massive thing.

"For me, especially being named captain, it's trying to get the best out of everyone in that group."

Matavesi and his brother are two of 21 Camborne players in the Cornwall squad aiming to win the Bill Beaumont Cup.

The National Two West champions secured promotion to the third tier of English club rugby last month.

"I had some opportunities last year to maybe explore something else and I'm so glad now that I've come home to Camborne and the year we've had," added Matavesi, who helped Northampton win the Premiership in 2024.

"Then you get the opportunity to represent your county that we're so proud of to be from, and also who we grew up watching and the players that I've seen play for Cornwall.

"I remember watching them at Camborne and thinking 'wow this is a whole new level' and you're just in awe of the players.

"It does come full circle and we've been lucky all year to play against each other, to bounce off each other, to sometimes argue and not agree on things together.

"I think the coaching set-up is great, I think the squad Cornwall have got is young, is experienced, there's plenty of class in there, so it's exciting on all fronts."