*WARNING* Contains spoilers ....

So, the Great British Bake Off has ended for another year - with nine million people glued to their TVs for the final last night.

And, as the final piece of icing dries, many people minds are turning to one simple question - 'how can I enter next year's competition?'.

So, if you think your doughnuts are delectable, or your patisserie is perfection, we have the answer for you.

Simply click here to download your entry form, and make sure it is sent back by Sunday, January 11th next year, and you could have Paul and Mary checking out your soggy bottom before you know it.

This year's competition ended with a surprise victory for Nancy over favourite Richard, who had been star baker for a record five times during the series.

The builder's lemon tart was a disaster while Nancy's depth of knowledge showed through in the scone, Victoria sponge and tarte au citron round.

In the end Nancy won - brilliant baker and grandmother of eight.

Mary Berry said: "She is a perfectionist and to win the British Bake Off that is what you have to be - a perfectionist.".

CORNISH Pirates made it back-to-back wins with a superb victory at fifth-place Doncaster Knights.

It was the proverbial game of two halves, with Doncaster dominating a large part of the first 40 minutes to lead 10-3 at the break, only for the Pirates to come storming back with 21 unanswered points, before conceding two late tries.

The Pirates came under the cosh from the off, and conceded a try after only eight minutes, with blindside flanker Latu Makaafi breaking free from a ruck on the visitors' 22 before feeding outside centre Mat Clark to race over, with winger Dougie Flockhart converting.

Pirates pulled three points back with a penalty by fly half Kieran Hallett, but they should have scored a try at the end of the first quarter, when a slick handling move off a line-out created a two-on-one overlap on the right, but full back Matt Evans inexplicably failed to pass to unmarked wing Kieran Goss and the chance was snuffed out.

Struggling

The Cornishmen's set piece was struggling, and Flockhart slotted one of the penalties they were coughing up to stretch the Knights' advantage to seven points.

Pirates responded well, with Laurie McGlone breaking a tackle to set up a great attacking position, but once more a dropped pass saw the opportunity go begging.

Doncaster launched wave after wave of attacks in the closing stages of the half, but they were kept out by some excellent defence from Pirates, who lost winger Kyle Moyle to a bad shoulder injury late in the half, with Laurence May coming on for his Championship debut.

Pirates suffered a further blow just before the break when yet another scrum penalty saw loose-head prop Jack Andrew sin-binned, but they were pleased to be only trailing 10-3 at the interval.

Despite being a man down, Pirates made an excellent start to the second half, winning their own set-piece ball and camping in Doncaster's 22, but they could not turn their pressure into points, though the hosts had fly half Jamie Lennard sin-binned for a professional foul.

Pirates blew another gilt-edged try-scoring opportunity in the 52nd minute, when May opted not to deliver the final pass to Evans for an easy five points, and was held up over the line as he tried to go for glory himself.

However, it did not prove costly, as only moments later, scrum half Tom Kessell wriggled over for a try from close range, and Hallett's conversion made it 10-10.

Four minutes later they were unbelievably in front for the first time, with Tom Riley's excellent long pass giving skipper Chris Morgan the chance to put Evans in for the touchdown, with Hallett again adding the extras for 17-10.

They then grabbed their third try in nine minutes when a catch-and-drive line-out led to Hallett crossing in the corner, and he added the touchline conversion off the far upright.

Doncaster set up a tense finale when Makaafi and captain Michael Hills got over for late tries, with Flockhart converting one to get them within bonus-point range, but Pirates hung on for an excellent victory. Pirates director of rugby Ian Davies hailed half-back duo Kieran Hallett and Tom Kessell as the Duchy side turned the match on its head to make it back-to-back Championship wins.

"We said at half-time that we hadn't actually fired any shots, and we were 'pleased' to be only seven points down, because we had weathered the storm and a yellow card (for Jack Andrew just before the interval).

"We could have scored just before half-time as well, which probably would have been an injustice to Doncaster.

"But we told the players to control the ball, be a bit more accurate, combined with a little bit of a tweak of the tactics, and we would score four tries, and we almost did it. We certainly created enough chances.

"Tom and Kieran were outstanding in the opening 30 minutes of the second half and really took the game away from Doncaster, and there was only ever going to be one winner after that."

Davies made a tactical change after 27 minutes, replacing hooker Aaron Carpenter with Tom Channon, while Jamal Ford-Robinson took over from Andrew at loose-head prop just after half-time, and those alterations seemed to prove the solution to Pirates' first-half set-piece woes.

"We changed personnel, and we also spoke about a couple of things at the break," explained Davies.

"We brought a certain set of line-outs into the game, and they weren't working, so we changed them at half-time and Darren Barry and Chris Morgan tweaked a couple of things there.

"As soon as we got set-piece ball, our backs were very dangerous, our continuity was good, and we just built and built the pressure."

RAIL passenger were delayed at Truro station after transport police boarded a train bound for London.

According to passengers, there was a police car and van outside the station at 9am this morning and five officers boarded the train.

PC Wayne Frost, from British Transport Police in Truro, said: "It was a bit of a misunderstanding regarding a booking which was made online.

"There was just a situation where the train was delayed but this matter has been resolved."

AGENCIES in Cornwall are working to tackle child sexual exploitation in the wake of the scandal in Rotherham which has hit the headlines in recent weeks.

Authorities in Rotherham were criticised in an independent report for failing to protect 1,400 children aged between 11 and 16 who were groomed and abused by gangs.

Cornwall Council's Cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Andrew Wallis, told fellow members last month that work was being done to identify and prevent child sexual exploitation (CSE).

He said: "I can give assurances that we are doing everything we can within our powers, in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, to detect possible child sexual exploitation and to take robust action where there is evidence of it.

"While I cannot give total assurances that child sexual exploitation does not exist in Cornwall, I can give total assurances that if such abuse came to light, we would take immediate and robust action in conjunction with out police partners. We would not seek to deny or minimise it, as appears was the case in Rotherham. We would not stand by and do nothing as appears to have been the case in Rotherham."

Devon and Cornwall police and crime commissioner Tony Hogg has also asked the police to review its handling of CSE cases.

A spokesman for Mr Hogg said: "Until we have completed internal work we must assume that the risk exists that there could be a 'Rotherham' here, as there could be anywhere.

"Mr Hogg has asked Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer to examine our response to these issues and to provide him with assurance."

He added: "Mr Hogg is keen to encourage all members of the public and any group to report all incidents of this nature for full investigation."

He said Mr Hogg expected to see Mr Sawyer's report this month.

Simon Carpenter, chief executive of the Truro-based Children Linked to and Experiencing Abusive Relationships charity, which was recently awarded government funding through a bid by Mr Hogg, said: "We will use the funding to support all our work but most importantly, in the current climate, the money will support our service against children's sexual exploitation which is going to be very new to Cornwall but also I think it's going to bring all sorts of things out into the open."

CORNWALL could soon have its own national sports teams after a motion was passed at The Liberal Party Annual Assembly.

The party will now campaign in favour of the issue and hope to be able to enter a Cornish team into the next Commonwealth Games.

Councillor Paul Holmes, chairman of the Cornish Liberal Party, said: "Now that the government has formally given recognition of the Cornish nation by making its status equal to that of Wales, we are calling for Cornwall to be allowed to send a team of athletes to the next Commonwealth Games in their own right.

"In future the national teams of Cornwall should be recognised for international competitions in the same way as Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands."

When asked if he thought Cornish teams would be competitive in national competition, Councillor Holmes pointed to a number of Cornish rugby players and cricketers who currently ply their trade at the top level of their sport.

"Many cricketers from Cornwall appear in the English county game and we also have a number of top-class rugby players.

"In fact, the only time that rugby appeared in the Olympics some time before the First World War, the team was made exclusively out of players from Cornwall and Devon.

"Cornish sportsmen and women also won two Olympic gold medals at the last games in London and one in the Paralympics.

"We have the sporting talent in the county across many sports and not just the big three."

With over half a million people living in Cornwall, the population exceeds the likes of Iceland (300,000), Faroe Island (40,000), Liechtenstein (37,000) and Gibraltar (29,000), all of whom compete in the qualifying stages for the football World Cup and European Championships.

Mr Holmes also believes that Cornwall's passionate sporting population will embrace the idea of their teams competing internationally.

"Back in the 90s and again more recently, we took coachloads to Twickenham to cheer on our rugby team.

"Everyone got dressed up, showed immense pride and had a cracking day out and I'm sure that would be the case if we were to take a team to the Commonwealth Games."

Data collected by Falmouth Marine School students at Gyllyngvase and Castle beaches will help climate change research.

The students monitored habitats at both sites as part of a national programme looking at the impact of climate change on the coastline.

Guided by Kate Evans from the Marine Biological Association, they recorded details of the marine biodiversity.

The Shore Thing project is a national volunteer scheme with all data entered into a national biodiversity network which will be used as a basis for further scientific research.

Ms Evans said: "This is an important piece of work. The project has gone all over the British Isles.

"For me this was all about engaging these guys in the marine environment and teaching them about what they can find on the shoreline.

"The data will be used to help demonstrate any indicators for climate change or to identify non-native species."

Rachel Green, a marine biology lecturer at Falmouth Marine School, said: "This is the first visit to the rocky shore for these students; they have an opportunity to learn about the shoreline and their environment and hopefully be inspired.

"To be working with the Marine Biological Association is great for these students because they can build their contacts and put the work we do as part of our programme into context."

A PENRYN woman jailed for arson called mental health services for help immediately before she started the blaze which damaged her flat and meant she had to be rescued by an "exceptionally brave" neighbour, a court has heard. 

Susan Turner, aged 46, was lucky no one was killed, a judge said after hearing about how she disabled smoke alarms in her home on The Terrace before setting fire to it on July 5, intending to kill herself. 

At Truro Crown Court on Tuesday, Philip Lee, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the alarm was raised at 9.40pm and the emergency services rushed to the scene. 

He said a neighbour, Rueben Jenkin saw Turner in a first floor window. 

"Smoke was already billowing," said Mr Lee. "He set out to rescue her. He suffered some injury but otherwise was fortunately unharmed. 

"This defendant was rescued and taken to safety; one simply does not know what might have happened if he had not have been able to do that." 

Fire crews from Helston, Truro and Falmouth arrived and had to smash a door at the Devon and Cornwall Housing property to tackle the blaze. They evacuated the family next door as they fought the fire using hoses and breathing gear until 10.10pm. 

Mr Lee said the blaze caused significant damage to Turner's home and there was smoke damage to an adjoining cottage which shared a roof space. 

Mr Lee said: "She had telephoned the mental health services immediately preceding these events, saying 'help'. 

"Those who could help her were not immediately available." Mr Lee added that mental health workers then tried to contact Turner on her mobile phone but she could not be contacted. Turner, of The Terrace, pleaded guilty to one count of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. 

The court heard Turner suffered from depression and anxiety and had problems with alcohol. Fred Howell, defending, said Turner had expressed remorse and that her biggest worry was how she would cope when she eventually got out of prison. 

Sentencing her to two and a half years in prison, Judge Simon Carr said Turner had taken "considerable care" to disable two smoke alarms prior to starting the fire, which effectively rendered her flat uninhabitable. 

He said: "The fact that nobody was seriously injured or killed was a matter of luck … in fact damage was caused to the property next door to you indicating the harm that could have been done." 

Judge Carr added that Mr Jenkin had acted with "exceptional bravery" when he broke into Turner's flat to rescue her at risk to himself. 

At the time of the incident, Mr Jenkin, 27, told the West Briton, Turner had been screaming "help my house is on fire" and he had shuffled along a wall to get close to the window and used a ladder to get her out. 

Next-door neighbour James Ryan, who supported Turner from the ladder as Mr Jenkin lifted her to safety, said: "Reuben was brilliant. He kept her calm and didn't panic her."

A MOTHER and baby have been involved in a single vehicle crash on the A39 this afternoon.

Paramedics and police are at the scene following the smash , which happened near to the Penmount Crematorium, shortly after 12.30 pm.

A South Western Ambulance spokesman said: "We are currently at the scene of the road traffic accident involving one car, which had a female a baby inside.

"The mother is in quite a bit of shock. We're carrying out treatment for shock and minor injuries."

The baby escaped without injury.

CORNISH rail commuters can have their say on how trains across the south west are policed.

The British Transport Police (BTP) have launched an online survey and are inviting the public and rail staff to share what concerns them the most about travelling or working on the trains.

Although crime on the railways has fallen for the tenth consecutive year the BTP wants to reduce it further.

BTP Chief Constable Paul Crowther said: "The work we have done to reduce crime on trains and at stations in the past 12 months has made a significant impact – Operation Magnum, for instance, has helped to bring down theft of passenger property by 17 per cent.

"BTP is committed to getting passengers to their destination safely, and making sure rail staff are safe at work.

"The answers people give us will help improve the service we provide in policing the railway during the coming year."

"What you tell us will help shape railway policing in the months to come."

The survey will cover questions such as travellers and rail staff more concerned with cycle theft or pickpockets and is graffiti more of a concern than ticket fraud.

The survey can be completed online at www.btp.police.uk/survey.aspx.

*To mark World Mental Health Day 2014, we are starting a new weekly blog from 'Paul' whose struggles against a variety of conditions have given him an insight into not only the fight against the illnesses, but sometimes the struggles faced to get help.

Here is his first blog:

My name is Paul, and this is my story:

I have always felt different to everyone else, even from the age of 5yrs old I'd think about death and presented strange behaviour, which I now know this to be a mental health illness.

I suffer from General Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, Personality Disorder and Depression. My illness has manifested since childhood to the present day.

I've spent four spells in Fletcher ward in Bodmin Hospital including one Xmas and my 40th birthday.

I'm currently on a combination of medication : Venlafaxine, Diazepam and Quetiapine.

I've also got a very good support system in place which is VITAL if you suffer from mental health problems.

I have a CPN, Consultant, Clinical Phycologist, GP and most importantly my family especially my wife.

I also have alcohol problem which can go hand in hand with mental health problems but I'm proud to say I'm 8 months sober.

I see my phycologist and CPN (Community Phsyciatric Nurse) once a week at Bodmin Hospital and also use the Home Treatment Team who are there for out of hours support.

On October 10th it's #WorldMentalHealthDay so this is going to be the launch of my blog and then online every Friday from now on.

My aim is to help and guide people who have depression, Anxiety or any other mental health problems and to answer any questions about this illness and what I've experienced

I'm not a doctor or a professional, but I know people find it very hard to reach out for help, so I hope that's where I can come in for guidance.

As a blogger on certain social network site I get up to 20 messages a day from people who can't handle their life anymore and they're spiraling out of control. This is where I come into my own. I've helped 90% of these people and im proud to say so. Most of these people just needed a little nudge and reassurance that going to your GP will be beneficial and not to be scared.

However now I want to do this now in my beloved Cornwall.

My current mental health state is stable, however it's still a daily struggle and always will be.

I won't lie I've been to hell and back.

If you have any questions about this illness or if you have a family member you're worried about please contact me through the email address given.

I must reiterate that I cannot give out any advice on medication.

If you or anyone you know is suicidal dial 999 immediately.

Please don't hold back on any symptoms/questions you may have no matter how strange you think they are and I really hope I can be source of reassurance and guidance to anyone suffering with this horrible illness.

Please remember one in four of us will experience a form of mental health problems, so don't be shy on reaching out for help to me or your GP.

Hope to hear from you

Paul 

*Anyone who wants to ask Paul a question, or to give some feedback on his blog, please do so by clicking here.

A WELL-KNOWN and popular hill which played a crucial role in Cornwall's history has been put up for sale.

Tregonning Hill, near Helston, on the border between Breage and Germoe, has been put on the market for about £200,000.

It has spectacular views from its ridge line down across Mount's Bay and northwards as far as St Ives Bay.

The 70-acre site is mostly covered in heather and bracken. It includes the circular earth ramparts of three Celtic settlements, including an iron-age fort known as Castle Pencaire.

China clay was discovered on the hill by William Cookworthy in the 18th century, which was vital to the birth of the Cornish industry.

One of the secluded quarries was also a meeting place for Methodist preachers in the 18th century.

The hill has Germoe parish's war memorial, although this monument is not included in the sale.

There are also many public footpaths and part of the hill is a site of special scientific interest and a special area of conservation for its rare plants.

Ivor Mann, of John Coad and Son estate agents, said: "It's really very rare to see something like this for sale.

"It has cracking views all around."

He said the hill has evidence of a Celtic stronghold dating back to 250BC. It was also the site of a beacon in Napoleonic times to warn of invasion.

Councillor Kathy Doeser, vice-chairman of Germoe Parish Council, said the hill was an important place.

"There's not much for us to say as a council as this is a commercial arrangement for the sale of the land. However, we do hope that whoever takes it over will look after it," she said.

"It attracts visitors to the area and is an important leisure amenity for people to walk. It is a beautiful place to admire the countryside and views down to both coasts. It has real historical value too as the site where china clay was discovered."

PENRYN Council could take over the town's library to save it from possible closure.

This is just one of the options being considered by town councillors as they look to set their budget.

Town clerk Michelle Davey told members that with Cornwall Council looking to make savings of £196 million, many aspects would affect the town.

All the ideas put forward will need to be considered in terms of the financial implications to the council and how much it would raise the annual precept.

Ms Davey said: "There is a very real danger that Penryn library could be targeted for closure given its proximity to Falmouth.

"Cornwall Council is likely to be very open to a proposal from the town council to take on the running. This could be combined with a move of the offices to the library building to offset the cost."

But the council also has a "possible opportunity" to buy the town council offices at Saracen House.

However Ms Davey said this was potentially difficult because there were flats above.

With regards to the car parks, the council may be able to take over the running of Commercial Road. It currently leases Permarin car park from Cornwall Council so it can be kept free for people to park, but it may ask for a transfer of the asset.

And public toilets could be affected.

The council already contributes towards the toilets on Exchequer Quay and Permarin car park.

They agreed to take over the management after Cornwall Council cut funding last year for toilets across the county.

Cornwall Council's harbours board agreed to give some funding for two years towards the quay toilets, which could cease.

But Ms Davey said the council will get no grant for 2015/16 so it will either have to fund the shortfall or terminate the leases, which could result in closure.

There is likely to be a 30 per cent reduction in the contract to maintain open spaces and councillors are being asked to consider taking control of some to provide better care.

And it may have to take back the Old Man's Shelter on Quay Hill, currently used and maintained by Cornwall Council's youth service.

But the service could cease, which means the costs of building will fall back to the town council.

Cornwall Council is also looking at removing and replacing road signs.

But Ms Davey said there was an opportunity to improve the signs in the town by agreeing to maintain them itself.

Another idea is the setting up of a town warden scheme to issue penalty notices for things like dog fouling.

Councillors have been asked to come up with proposals for the November meeting which would enable them to draw up a draft budget.

A SWIMMER had to be rescued and her would-be rescuers airlifted to safety from the base of a steep cliff in Perranporth.

The RNLI lifeboat, St Agnes Coastguard Search and Rescue and the Royal Navy helicopter from RNAS Culdrose were involved in the rescue on Thursday evening.

They were called out after it was reported that a girl had got into difficulty swimming between Droskyn Point and Cathedral Caverns at Perranporth.

The lifeboat was able to reach the girl with the help of the coastguard team and she was safely taken to shore.

However, it was then realised that two men who had tried to help the girl were also stranded at the foot of the cliff.

The coastguard team located them at the mouth of the cave at the base of the cliff.

Heavy seas made it difficult for the lifeboat to return and the helicopter was called in to help rescue them. While they were waiting, with the tide coming in and the sun starting to set, the coastguard team set up a rope rescue in case the helicopter was delayed.

However, it arrived and was able to winch the two men to safety.

Ivor Thomson, from St Agnes Coastguard, said: "Although the coastguard team is able to rescue people off the cliff in a safe way it was decided that with the tide pushing in and the rough sea that a helicopter evacuation was the best course of action. St Agnes team cleared an area on the top of the cliff to land and pass the two casualties to the awaiting coastguard. They had no injuries and were very thankful for their rescue.

"Falmouth coastguard is another essential resource in a situation like this with the essential co-ordinating of all the assets involved and should be thanked for their support."

Martyn Ward, who was acting as lifeboat operations manager at the time of the incident, has warned of the dangers of autumn swells.

He said: "The rescue was a fantastic joined-up effort by St Agnes Coastguard team, the volunteer lifeboat crew and the Royal Navy search and rescue helicopter.

"There are clearly still a lot of people using the water as the autumn swells begin to build, so it's paramount people take extra care around the coast and put safety first.

"Our advice is to always check the conditions, know your limitations in the water and if you see somebody in difficulty, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard."

A FISHERMAN said he was lucky to be alive after falling more than 25ft from a ladder on a Falmouth quay and landing on a boat.

Steve Smith was preparing to go fishing with his wife Jenny when he fell from the ladder on North Quay.

He landed on a fishing boat, breaking his right ankle, tearing the ligaments in the calf muscle of his other leg, and damaging his back.

But he managed to climb back up the ladder and get to his van. "It was probably the adrenalin from the shock," said Mr Smith. "I more or less collapsed when I got to my van and, when I took my boot off, my foot came up like a football."

Paramedics arrived at the scene at 3.45pm on Monday of last week and Mr Smith was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

Falmouth coastguard's cliff rescue team was also called because the incident involved an injury on a boat. Now the commercial fisherman said he stood to lose out on six to eight weeks of revenue as he recovers. But he said: "I am just lucky to be alive really. I count myself very fortunate.

"There was an anchor a foot away. If I had hit that I wouldn't be here now. Also, if I had landed on my back I would have probably broken my back. The distance I fell, I got away with it pretty unscathed."

Mrs Smith said her husband was unable to walk properly, and she worried about his back injuries, for which he is taking painkillers and resting.

"It was quite frightening," she said. "I just saw his face as he fell away from me.

"He is lucky to be alive considering the distance he has fallen. To get off with the injuries he has got away with, somebody was looking after him."

She wanted to thank the coastguard and the paramedics, who were "good as gold".

"I also want to thank the students who lent me their phone to call 999 when I couldn't find my phone," she said.

Barry Buist, general manager of Falmouth Haven, which operates the quay facilities, said: "Falmouth Haven takes the health and safety of its customers very seriously and we are currently investigating the incident, which was also reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), to see what, if any, measures can be taken to prevent a similar occurrence in the future."

A HSE spokesman said: "HSE is aware of this incident and following inquiries have decided no further investigation is required."

THE Oysterman returned to Events Square this morning for the opening 'bash' of the town's annual festival which celebrates the Fal River shellfish.

The 15ft Oysterman puppet arrived in the event marquee and a choir made up of Falmouth primary school children performed a special oyster song composed for the festival.

The opening celebration also saw the unveiling of a replica of The Oyster – a 30ft sculpture set to grace Falmouth's waterfront before next year's event – by sculpter Andy Nicholls and Engineer Tony Cowles.

There was also a cooking demonstration by Katy Davidson, known locally as The Oyster Lady.

Organiser Mike Rangecroft said the festival has visitors from London, Germany, Holland, as well as local supporters, adding: "We've got it right - that's the message that I get when I speak to people.

"A lot of work has gone into planning. It's going well."

Mr Rangecroft said he was expecting a busy lunch today ahead of four days of the event, which is expected to attract 38,000 people.

The 18th Falmouth Oyster Festival, which runs until Sunday, features the Hot Chefs Challenge tonight with Arty Williams of The Cove Restaurant battling out against Nick Hodges from Fire Kitchen.

Saturday's demo stage is opened by James Strawbridge followed by the infamous oyster shucking competition.

The Championship XV coaching duo Martin Haag and Kevin Maggs have named their squad ahead of the fixture against Canada at Worcester's Sixways Stadium on Sunday November 2 (kick-off 3.15pm) and have included Cornish Pirates lock Darren Barry and scrum-half Tom Kessell.

Leading the congratulations on the duo's selection, which follows the recent announcement that the club's Head Physiotherapist Fliss Middleton will also be involved, Pirates Director of Rugby Ian Davies said: "I am thrilled for Tom and Darren as their selection is fully deserved. Both have been outstanding again this season and they have a big future."

He added: "It is an opportunity to show what they can do against international opposition, and when you look at the number of players who featured in the first Championship XV game played two years ago a number have featured since in the Premiership.

"The match in 2012 against the Maori All Blacks was something that our players Gavin Cattle, Alan Paver and Phil Burgess thoroughly enjoyed, as did I in my role then as Assistant Coach."

The Championship XV concept will be reignited following its 2012 success against the Maori All Blacks. The best English qualified XV from across the league face Canada at Sixways in a showpiece game highlighting the talent on offer in the second tier, providing a unique international experience for players and spectators alike.

"I'm very happy with the squad we've selected" said head coach Martin Haag.

"We wanted to spread the load among all the clubs, so that everybody is represented. I'm delighted with what we've ended up with and very excited about the players we will have – it will be a great opportunity for them to test themselves against a national team."

Bristol Rugby's Jack Tovey is named in the Championship XV at full-back. Tovey was initially named in the side to face the Maori All Blacks two years ago, but was unable to join the team after suffering an injury during a league game.

Two London Scottish players claim spots among the league's top 10 try-scorers, and both men are included in the Championship XV.

Back-row forward and Player of the Month nominee Mark Bright, who has scored back-to-back hat-tricks this season and sits top of the try-scoring table with nine, joins teammate Miles Mantella.

Dougie Flockart is also included. He has been instrumental in Doncaster Knights' impressive return to the second tier, kicking 60 points and earning a Player of the Month nomination. Michael Keating completes the wing options, having proved vital in Rotherham's best season for 10 years during 2013/14.

Moseley provide two centres with both Greg King and Will Owens representing the Birmingham club. Owens joined Moseley from Newport Gwent Dragons in the summer and has since appeared in all five of the Birmingham side's opening fixtures, while King has been a first team regular since signing for the club in 2011.

Lawrence Rayner is Plymouth Albion's sole representative in the XV. He already has 61 points to his name and a spot at the top of the kicking table, so it is clear to see why Haag and Magg have included the fly-half.

Former Albion man Dan Mugford will also join the Championship XV as a potential number 10, having signed for Nottingham Rugby ahead of the current season.

Completing the backs at scrum-half are Tom Kessell and Ryan Glynn. Kessell will represent Cornish Pirates at Sixways both as a club man and a proud Cornishman who started his career with the Pirates minis back in 1995.

Just a short trip from the West of Cornwall sits Jersey Rugby, Glynn's new side after he joined the Islanders from Northampton Saints ahead of the current season.

"One of the things from the backs perspective is the age – we've picked a pretty young back-line" said assistant coach Kevin Maggs, a former centre himself.

"For us it's about creating the space and giving these guys the opportunities to run. What excites me is that there is a lot of speed and a lot of talent in the back-line and that's always hard to defend against. The guys can also be quite physical which they will need to be to get over the gain line, so we're really excited with who we have chosen."

In the forwards, Ryan Bower (Worcester Warriors) and Lee Imiolek (Yorkshire Carnegie) are named as loos-head prop options, while Tom Cruse (Rotherham Titans) and Charlie Clare (Bedford) will share the hooking responsibilities. Michael Holford of Nottingham Rugby occupies tight-head.

The entire front-row boasts Premiership experience aplenty, including spells at Leicester Tigers, London Wasps and Sale Sharks respectively.

Yorkshire Carnegie and Bedford Blues each claim two other players in the forwards, with Ryan Burrows and Nick Fenton-Wells joining their front-row team mates.

Bedford captain Fenton-Wells joined the Blues from Saracens over the summer and was named skipper ahead of the new campaign. He is joined by Burrows, who has made nearly 80 appearances during his four seasons at Yorkshire, scoring 70 points.

Bristol's Marco Mama completes the back-row personnel, having donned the Bristol shirt 89 times since joining the club as an Academy player in 2009, progressing through to a regular first choice flanker.

Finally, Cornish Pirates' lock Darren Barry, and Worcester's James Percival complete the Championship XV squad.

Having arrived at the Pirates from Bristol Rugby in 2012, Barry has made 66 appearances for the Cornish side. He is joined by 19-stone Percival, a member of England U21s Six Nations Grand Slam victory back in 2004.

Haag added:"There's a lot of size to that forward pack and quite a lot of experience as well which is great" continued Haag.

"It's a big mobile pack, so it should fit in to the way we want to play, which is getting the ball from the set piece and bringing our big runners into the game.

"I'd just like to thank the directors of rugby and head coaches for their help with the availability of players and everything else.

"It's always a difficult time to let some of your best players go and everyone has been very good to us in terms of being very encouraging and very positive."

Championship XV squad:

Forwards: Charlie Clare (Bedford Blues); Darren Barry (Cornish Pirates); James Percival (Worcester Warriors); Lee Imiolek (Yorkshire Carnegie); Marco Mama (Bristol); Mark Bright (London Scottish); Michael Holford (Nottingham); Nick Fenton-Wells (Bedford Blues); Ryan Bower (Worcester Warriors); Ryan Burrows (Yorkshire Carnegie); Tom Cruse (Rotherham Titans); Additional tight-head prop and second-row to be confirmed..

Backs: Dan Mugford (Nottingham); Dougie Flockhart (Doncaster Knights); Greg King (Moseley); Jack Tovey (Bristol); Lawrence Rayner (Plymouth Albion); Michael Keating (Rotherham Titans); Miles Mantella (London Scottish); Ryan Glynn (Jersey); Tom Kessell (Cornish Pirates); Will Owens (Moseley).

Note: Due to injuries, a number of Championship players are unavailable for selection.

Support your club players in the Championship XV v Canada fixture at Sixways on Sunday November 2. Tickets are available online at www.warriors.co.uk, at the club's Box Office or by calling 01905 459309.