Rotherham go into their penultimate National 1 game on Saturday prepared for a tough test against a Blackheath side who sit fourth in the table; kick-off at Well Hall is 3pm.
Titans can be content with their achievements in their first season back in level 3, as they are now certain of a top 6 finish after a shaky start back in September.
They will also go into the clash full of confidence after an impressive 41-35 victory over a dangerous Bishop’s Stortford side at Clifton Lane last time out, where they scored five tries in an entertaining contest.
Nevertheless, Blackheath are not a top-end side without cause and they are sure to want revenge for their defeat at Clifton Lane in December and finish the season with a flourish.
Going into the game Titans have made four changes to their starting XV with two each coming in the backs and forwards.
Along the backline a new centre pairing of Harry Dunne and Ellis Abrahams come in for Joe Barker and Jamie Cooke respectively, whilst in the pack due to a number of injuries Titans have had to have a bit of a re-shuffle.
Due to no second rowers being fit enough to start the game, tight head prop Antony Dickinson will start in the boiler house alongside Luis Ball who moves there from blindside flanker; hooker Ali Thomson takes his spot in the back row.
Speaking ahead of the match Titans’ Joe Barker explained, “I was delighted with how the lads went last week against Bishop’s and all round they put in a really good performance and deserved to get the win.
“From the supporters point of view it was a great game to watch with a lot of good rugby played from both teams and it was a fantastic way for us to sign off the season at Clifton Lane.
“This week we’ll need to put in another great performance if we are going to get anything from the game because Blackheath are a very good side and they will make it very tough for us down there.
“However, the lads just have to back up what they’ve just done, they have a lot of confidence behind them and they believe in what they are trying to do on the field.”
Titans: 15 Sam Allan, 14 Dan Leake, 13 Ellis Abrahams, 12 Harry Dunne, 11 Connor Field, 10 Callum Irvine, 9 Alex Dolly, 1 Dan Richardson, 2 Jack Bergmanas, 3 Will Dennis, 4 Antony Dickinson, 5 Luis Ball, 6 Ali Thomson, 7 Zak Poole, 8 Seb Nagle-Taylor (Capt.).
Replacements: 16 Rikki Stout, 17 Dan Preston-Routledge, 18 Joe Barker, 19 Connor Dever, 20 Henry Roberts.
