Rotherham Titans are prepared to be fully tested on Saturday when they entertain Loughborough Students in National 1; kick-off at Clifton Lane is 2pm.
Following last week’s disappointing 13-12 defeat to Sale FC at Heywood Road, Rotherham are this week eager to put in a performance worthy of their league position.
Having slipped 9 points behind league leaders Ampthill, it’s important Titans get back on the winning trail quickly to keep alive their ambitions of a top-end finish.
Going into the game Rotherham have made four changes to their starting XV, three of which come in the back line.
Alex Dolly returns in the nine shirt as Connor Dever drops to the bench, Harry Dunne comes in at inside centre for Ellis Abrahams and on the wing Connor Field is recalled for Henry Roberts. In the pack, at hooker Ali Thomson is given the nod over Jack Bergmanas who drops to the bench.
Speaking ahead of the match Titans Joe Barker explained, “Last week’s defeat at Sale was very tough to take and we were bitterly disappointed with our performance. Although in patches we played some good rugby, small details of our game simply weren’t good enough and we paid a heavy price.
“However, we can’t afford to feel sorry for ourselves and we have to strike back quickly. The boys have looked good in training this week and they are eager to put in a performance in front of our own supporters.
“We know Loughborough are a young, enthusiastic team and they are going to play a quick, attractive brand of rugby. We have to be prepared for that and we’ll have to put in a good performance if we are to win the game.
“Every week presents a tough challenge in this division and we have to accept that and we know if we’re not at our best we will get turned-over.
“Therefore our discipline in defence has to be spot-on; we can’t be giving them any opportunities because they will capitalise on them with the ability that they have as a squad.
“We know they can play from anywhere and so we can’t let them into the game by being slack in defence; if we do they will run away with it.”
Titans: 15 Callum Irvine, 14 Dan Leake, 13 Jamie Cooke, 12 Harry Dunne, 11 Connor Field, 10 Joe Barker, 9 Alex Dolly, 1 Dan Richardson, 2 Ali Thomson, 3 Rikki Stout, 4 Luis Ball, 5 Kieran Frost, 6 Tom Cotterill, 7 Zak Poole, 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor (Capt.).
Replacements: 16 Jack Bergmanas, 17 Jessie Williams, 18 Will Dennis, 19 Dan Preston-Routledge, 20 Connor Dever.
