Rotherham Titans have prepared studiously this week for the stiff examination they’ll face when they welcome Cambridge on Saturday for a National league1 fixture; kick-off at Clifton Lane is 2pm.
Cambridge will come into the game full of confidence having beaten Bishop’s Stortford 23-22 last time out at Grantchester Road. Cambridge can also boast to being the only side to beat Ampthill on their own patch this season, a feat the Titans were unable to match in their last outing.
Rotherham who suffered with too many players having a ‘bad day at the office’ against Ampthill, will aim to put the disappointment of defeat behind them as they focus their energies on Cambridge who they won’t under estimate this weekend.
Going into the match Rotherham have made four changes to their starting XV with 2 each coming in the forwards and backs.
In the forwards at tight head prop Will Dennis is given the nod over Rikki Stout, whilst in the second row Conor Keys returns to the side as Tom Cotterill moves into the back row for Luis Ball who drops to the bench.
Along the backline Alex Dolly comes in at scrum half for Connor Dever and at full back replacing Callum Irvine and making his Titans debut is Sam Allan.
Commenting ahead of the game Titans’ Joe Barker explained, “Cambridge are a good side and if we are to get the result we want we’ll need to perform at our very best. We know they’ve had some really good results and although it’s a cliché there really isn’t an easy game in this league.
Like most sides in this division they have a big set of forwards and they will look to make the most at the set pieces and at maul time. They’ve also got some quick backs, who if given opportunities can hurt you with their pace and so we’ll need to make sure we’re switched on from the start.
We’ve prepared well this week both individually and as a team because we know they’ll present us with a stiff challenge, but it’s a challenge that we are up for and looking forward to.
“However, as always our main focus has been on ourselves and on the things that we can control. If we get that right we know we can give all teams in this division a game.”
Titans: 15 Sam Allan, 14 Henry Roberts, 13 Jamie Cooke, 12 Ellis Abrahams, 11 Connor Field, 10 Joe Barker, 9 Alex Dolly, 1 Dan Richardson, 2 Ali Thomson, 3 Will Dennis, 4 Jamie Ure, 5 Conor Keys, 6 Tom Cotterill, 7 Zak Poole, 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor (Capt.).
Replacements: 16 Jack Bergmanas, 17 Rikki Stout, 18 Luis Ball, 19 Connor Dever, 20 Callum Irvine.
