LONDON Welsh head coach Justin Burnell has shrugged off suggestions that Cornish Pirates might be thirsting for revenge in their eagerly awaited rematch at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium on Saturday (6.30pm).

It was in May last year that these teams met in the second leg of the Championship play-off to decide promotion to the Aviva Premiership.

Against expectations, Welsh won the clash amid wild scenes of jubilation and went up to the top flight – for the one season.

Now – even at this early stage of the season – both teams harbour strong play-off ambitions in the Greene King IPA Championship.

While Exiles top the table with four wins out of four, Cornish are fourth with three wins, including one over much-fancied Bristol.

“I don’t think Pirates will be any more passionate about winning than us,” said Burnell.

“I expect it to be a very physical game up front, although I hope our international experience outside the outside the scrum will tell in our favour.”

Burnell is hoping the early evening kick-off time will improve attendances at the Kassam, because of fewer distractions. “I hope fans will come for the X Factor that we will provide, rather than the one on TV,” he added.

It will be their third outing at the Kassam this season.