´óÏó´«Ã½

Jersey have signed Cornish Pirates trio Aaron Penberthy, Ben Maidment and Grant Pointer.

Fly-half Penberthy's signature will intensify speculation about the future of homegrown kicker Michael Le Bourgeois, who is out of contract.

Former Moseley number eight Maidment, 24, had been at the Mennaye Field for two seasons.

Utility back Pointer, 25, scored three tries in last year's Championship play-offs as the Pirates made the final.

"I think they'll do well over there," Cornish Pirates head coach Ian Davies told ´óÏó´«Ã½ South West Sport.

"I'm disappointed to see them go but it may be the right time for them to move on."

Penberthy, 20, joined the Pirates from Cornish rivals Redruth last season and played in the second leg of last season's Championship play-off final.

But with Kieran Hallett ahead of him in the pecking order and Jonny Bentley returning to fitness, Penberthy's chances could well have been limited at the Mennaye next season.

"I think it'll be a really good move for Aaron, even though he's a Cornish boy through and through, sometimes he's been in that goldfish bowl. It'll be nice to see how he survives outside of that.

"Ben [Maidment] I've known since he was 16, I coached him at Sussex, you've got a good one there. Grant Pointer doesn't miss a lot of rugby and is Mr Consistency," said Davies.

He has finished building the Pirates squad for next season as they look to challenge for the play-offs after missing out this season, in part as a result of having to "patch up people to get them on the park" because of a shortage of numbers.

"We're done, we've got the squad we want for next year," he added.

"We've got a few more being announced this week, we've certainly got a bit more strength in depth, but at the same time we've still got to do it on the field next year, it's not just about having more numbers, we've got to perform."