Rotherham Titans are prepared for a bruising National 1 encounter when they entertain Birmingham Mosely at Clifton Lane on Saturday; kick-off 2pm.
Titans recall all too well their visit to Billesley Common earlier in the season where Moseley’s front row forward Adam Caves scored 4 driving maul tries in the Midlanders victory.
Titans expect their opponents to adopt a similar pattern of play this weekend and are aware they’ll need to ‘front up’ to the challenge that will surely come their way if they are to secure the win.
Furthermore, on the back of their disappointing defeat at Rosslyn Park last weekend, which brought an end to Titans 5-match winning run, they will be extra keen to get back on the winning trail in front of their own supporters.
Going into the game Rotherham have made 6 changes to their starting XV which sees three changes each in the backs and forwards.
Along Titans backline Callum Irvine has recovered from a hamstring injury and comes in at full back for Tom Allott, at outside centre Jamie Cooke comes in for Harry Dunne and on the wing Henry Roberts has got over his hand injury and comes in for Connor Field.
Up front Jack Bergmanas comes in at hooker for Ali Thomson, Rikki Stout returns at tight head in place of Will Dennis and in the second row Carnegie dual-registered Kieran Frost comes in for the injured Jamie Ure (shoulder).
Speaking ahead of the match Titans’ Joe Barker explained, “We know Birmingham Moseley are a good side, they showed that when they beat us earlier in the season at their place. However, I believe we are a different side up front than we were at the start of the year, the lads have gelled a lot since that game and I’d like to think we’ll put in a better performance this time around.
“We know they will look to take us on at the set piece and they’ll look to get their big runners involved whenever they can. In James Williams they have someone who can kick them into position and kick their penalties and so it’s important we maintain our discipline so we don’t give them the opportunities to exploit their game plan.
“We’ll need to be very switched on and put a real big performance if we are going to get the win. It’s great to be back at home and hopefully we can fill the Shed and get the voices going again and start the New Year properly.”
Titans: 15 Callum Irvine, 14 Dan Leake, 13 Jamie Cooke, 12 Ellis Abrahams, 11 Henry Roberts, 10 Joe Barker, 9 Connor Dever, 1 Dan Richardson, 2 Jack Bergmanas, 3 Rikki Stout, 4 Conor Keys, 5 Kieran Frost, 6 Luis Ball, 7 Zak Poole, 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor (Capt.).
Replacements: 16 Ali Thomson, 17 Will Dennis, 18 Tom Cotterill, 19 Connor Field, 20 Alex Dolly.
