Cornish Pirates sign Exeter's Lilley on dual-registration

Cornish Pirates have signed Exeter's England Under-20 centre Nick Lilley on a dual-registration deal.

Lilley, 20, is the fifth Chiefs youngster to join the Champ side on a temporary basis this season, following on from Ben Coen, Oscar Beckerleg, Isaac Godfrey and Nic Allsion.

Lilley featured for Plymouth Albion in their 50-14 win at London Scottish in National One last week.

He featured in three Prem games for the Chiefs last season, making his first league start in the win at Newcastle on 27 March.

He started in all five of England's under-20 Six Nations games in the Spring, scoring two tries, and was part of the England side that came fourth in this summer's Under-20 World Cup.

"We were impressed with how Nick performed for England age-grade throughout the summer and he settled into Plymouth's side with confidence last weekend," Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told the club website.

"Pirates are a highly competitive side in a high-quality Champ Rugby league.

"We know he'll receive great coaching down in Penzance and add to the competition in their environment.

"It's important for our young players that we get them as much playing experience as possible, to give them the best chance to develop to the standard that we can begin to incorporate them in the first team on a regular basis."

Lilley could make his debut against high-flying Ealing at the Mennaye Field on Saturday.