PLAYERS, coaches and supporters of the Cornish All Blacks can start to plan their 2019/20 season after the fixtures for their return to the South West Premier were released earlier this week.

First up on Saturday, September 7, is a trip to Exeter University before they entertain Exmouth, who are coached by former Polson Bridge centre Steve Perry.

They make it a hat-trick of Devon clashes to start the campaign when they go to Ivybridge on September 21.

With Birmingham and Solihull pulling out of the league, meaning there are now 13 teams instead of 14, Launceston have a bye in week four before they get their October underway with a home game against Berkshire-based Maidenhead.

October 19 sees the first of the two derbies with added significance of the season as Okehampton make the short trip down the A30.

Oke won both fixtures last term between the two clubs on their way to winning the South West One (West) title, so the All Blacks would love nothing better than to gain revenge in West Devon come February 8.

Cornish rugby fans will have to wait a while for the battle between the All Blacks and Camborne with ‘The Cherry and Whites’ enjoying home advantage on December 14.

The return clash at Polson Bridge on March 28 is the third to last game, which could add to the spice even further.

The festive fixtures are an interesting one with the return date against Exmouth on December 21, while Ivybridge are the first opponents in North Cornwall in 2020 on January 4.

The all-important final games see Launceston go to Drybrook on April 4 before Exeter University are the final day visitors a fortnight later.

For a full list of fixtures, search Cornish All Blacks on Facebook and find the link or visit http://swrugby.co.uk/latest-news

All Blacks joint head coach, Ryan Westren, believes the fact there’s five Devon clubs as well as two from the Duchy in the division, adds to it.

He said: “Obviously the first games you look for are game one and then the local derby with Okehampton and the Cornish derby with Camborne.

“But you can tell from the teams within the league and the relative locality of the majority of teams is great for creating a good buzz within the region all season long.”

The four opening games see the All Blacks face the teams who finished from third to six in 2018/19, but Westren isn’t fazed.

He said: “A lot can change year to year so we won’t be reading into anything, we will take teams on their own merit and deal with that accordingly.

“No game is easy so I’m not to sure the order they come in really matters. I guess we could of hoped for two home games as opposed to away in an ideal world, but in the grand scheme of things, it makes not a lot of difference. We’re just looking forward to getting down to work and showing a good account of ourselves from the outset regardless of the opposition in front of us.”

The first of those is Exeter University, who are different in that their squad changes significantly from year to year, and Westren admits that it makes an interesting opening day encounter.

He said: “Their set-up isn’t your typical rugby club, So it’s a unique challenge in certain ways, but we’ll make sure we’re fully prepared come September 7.”