The Cornish Pirates are gearing up for an exciting new Championship season, and head coach Joe Walsh is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level. With the current campaign reaching its climax, the club is already looking ahead, focusing on strengthening their roster for the challenges to come.

So far, the Pirates have made impressive strides, securing contract extensions with 14 players whose deals were set to expire. Additionally, they've locked in permanent moves for on-loan forward Tomiwa Agbonbon and Gloucester's Hugh Bokenham—a clear sign of the club's commitment to retaining top talent. These moves have already solidified what joint-head coach Gavin Cattle calls "the spine of the team," but Walsh knows there's still work to be done.

As the Pirates prepare for a crucial final game of the season this Saturday against sixth-placed Hartpury, the stakes couldn't be higher. Currently sitting in seventh place, a win is essential to keep their playoff hopes alive. But regardless of the outcome, Walsh's focus remains on the bigger picture: building depth for the long haul.

"The Champ can be, and is, a very rigorous league," Walsh explained in a recent interview. "You pick up a lot of knocks, you pick up a lot of short to medium-term injuries. If players are out of your training squad and playing squad for three to four weeks, for a group the size of ours, that can be a real detriment and a real difficulty."

To combat this, the Pirates are prioritizing squad depth over the next two months. "We've definitely signed some real quality—and hopefully some more to come," Walsh added. "Over the next two months, we've got to start making positive steps in terms of filling that squad up with a bit more volume. That safeguards against injury, but also gives us a better training stimulus and a better environment for the boys to progress week to week."

For fans and players alike, this proactive approach is a promising sign. The club's off-field efforts, driven by the board and management, are already yielding results. As Walsh put it, "I'm really impressed with what the club have done so far off field and the direction they're moving in. The hard work that's going on from the board and management—they've been working tirelessly on it, and you can see the results now with those signings."

Whether it's on the pitch or in the stands, the Cornish Pirates are building something special. And for those who love the game, there's no better time to gear up and show your support. After all, every great team starts with a solid foundation—and the Pirates are laying theirs one signing at a time.