Rotherham Titans are fully prepared for a tough examination when they travel to the capital to take on Esher Rugby on Saturday; kick-off at Molesey Road is 3pm.
Titans fine recent form of 3 wins out of their last 4 games is identically matched by the fast-improving London based side that will be confident of extending their run of form at home this weekend.
Victories over Bishop’s Stortford, Cinderford and Cambridge and a narrow 31-29 loss away to second placed side Caldy has seen Esher close to within 6 points of Rotherham, having won just one game fewer this term.
However, Rotherham will not underestimate their opponents and will give them the respect they clearly deserve.
Going into the game Titans have made just 2 changes to their starting XV that beat Chinnor 32-26 last week at Clifton Lane; both of which come in the pack.
At tight head prop Rikki Stout returns to action for Will Dennis and in the back row Zak Poole is given the nod over Eru Smith-Wano at openside.
Speaking ahead of the game Titans Joe Barker explained, “This is our first really long journey of the season and that in itself is a challenge. However, we won’t use that as an excuse and if we want to realise our ambitions in this division we have to go away from home and pick up points.
“We know Esher have a good side and they’ve had some outstanding results recently; we know they are going to be very strong up front, at the set piece and in the mauls. But as a squad we feel we have made some good improvements across all areas of our game and the lads are champing at the bit to try and get a result.”
Titans: 15 Callum Irvine, 14 Henry Roberts, 13 Harry Dunne, 12 Ellis Abrahams, 11 Connor Field, 10 Joe Barker, 9 Alex Dolly, 1 Dan Richardson, 2 Ali Thomson, 3 Rikki Stout, 4 Jamie Ure, 5 Tom Cotterill, 6 Luis Ball, 7 Zak Poole, 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor (Capt.).
Replacements: 16 Jack Bergmanas, 17 Will Dennis, 18 Conor Keys, 19 Eru Smith-Wano, 20 Connor Dever.
