Walker and Cutmore sign new contracts with Pirates

Cornish Pirates have confirmed that prop Marlen Walker and lock Danny Cutmore have signed contracts for two more years with the club.

Auckland-born Marlen, aged 30, arrived at the Cornish Pirates in January 2015, initially on a short-term contract from Weston-Super-Mare.

He had previously played for Nedlands Rugby Club in Australia, besides experiencing rugby playing for TV Pforzheim in Germany.

In his youth he represented New Zealand Secondary Schools, playing in the same side as All Blacks players Zac Guildford and Sam Whitelock, and he was also a member of the Auckland Blues and Western Force Academies.

Marlen made his debut for the Cornish Pirates when used as a replacement in a memorable 45-38 points win against Bristol in February 2015.

Since then he has made a further 99 appearances, his 100 games milestone reached last Saturday against Ealing Trailfinders.

Young lock Danny is in his first season with the Pirates, the now 21-year-old having been born in Watford and educated at Beaumont School, St. Albans.

He represented Hertfordshire through the age groups and played for England at under 17s level.

He also became a Saracens Academy member and has in the past played for Saracens both in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the A league.

Prior to his arrival in Cornwall, Danny spent time last season on loan at his boyhood club Old Albanians.

He gained senior experience there and this has naturally been added to whilst he has been with the Cornish Pirates, for whom he has to date made 19 appearances.