Rotherham Titans are prepared for what is always an epic battle against midlands side Birmingham Moseley, when they travel to Billesley Common on Saturday for a 3pm kick-off in National League 1.
After Moseley suffered a huge 52-8 defeat last weekend at Bishop's Stortford, Titans expect a backlash performance from the Billesley Boys.
Games between these two sides are traditionally tight, combative affairs, where there is usually little to choose between them at the final whistle.
The last time they met was when both sides were competing in the Championship during the 2015/16 season. On that cold day in February Moseley ran out 16-11 winners at the Common; however, at the end of that campaign it was the Birmingham side which suffered relegation.
Following Rotherham’s first win of the season last week at home to Rosslyn Park, their confidence has received a boost and they feel if they can replicate that kind of performance it will give them an opportunity to register back-to-back victories.
Going into the game Rotherham have made just one change to their starting XV; as Tom Cotterill comes into the second row for the injured Canadian international Conor Keys.
Speaking ahead of the game Titans head coach, Joe Barker, explained, “It was really pleasing to get our first win of the season last week at home in front of our fans. Rosslyn Park are a very strong outfit, so to come away with an impressive win was very encouraging.
“This week we face another strong side in Birmingham Moseley; they still have some boys there who played Championship rugby with them, so we know they are an experienced team.
“We are fully aware if we want to get another win then we are going to have to go there and work hard, stick to our game plan and take our opportunities when they arrive, but I believe we are capable of doing that.”
Titans: 15 Alex Dolly, 14 Dan Leake, 13 Harry Dunne, 12 Joe Barker, 11 Henry Roberts, 10 Callum Irvine, 9 Connor Dever, 1 Jack Bergmanas, 2 Ali Thomson, 3 Rikki Stout, 4 Anton Petrowitsch, 5 Tom Cotterill, 6 Luis Ball, 7 Zak Poole, 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor (Capt).
Replacements: 16 Dan Richardson, 17 Antony Dickinson, 18 Will Dennis, 19 Dan Preston-Routledge, 20 Jamie Cooke.
