Rotherham Titans expect a tough test this week when they make the short journey to South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Tigers in round 28 of National 2 North; kick-off at Dore Moor on Saturday is 3pm.
Yorkshire derbies are usually keenly fought affairs, full of intensity and passion and Rotherham expects nothing less this week, in what will be the first competitive game between the two sides.
Titans will go into the clash on the back of a disappointing defeat to Huddersfield two weeks ago, having not played last weekend due to Harrogate being unable to field a side. Tigers meanwhile will also come into the game on the back of a loss, having gone down 31-19 to Luctonians seven days ago.
Whilst mathematically it’s still possible for Titans to win the league, realistically it isn’t and Hull RUFC are to be congratulated for their outstanding achievement this season.
Titans will therefore aim to finish the season strong and then regroup over the summer for another tilt at the title next term.
Going into this weekend’s game Roth have made 3 changes to the starting XV which fell to defeat at Huddersfield.
Along the backline Connor Field returns on the wing for George Tucker and Lloyd Hayes comes back into the side at centre as Jamie Cooke reverts back onto the wing for Tom Lewis. The sole change in the pack sees Marcus Payne come into the back row for Keifer Laxton.
Speaking ahead of the match Titans Adam Byron said:
“Derby games are always close affairs as each team battles for bragging rights and when the teams are located as close as we are to Tigers, that intensity becomes even more ferocious and so we will go into the game under no illusions as to the severity of the challenge.
“Tigers have a good all round team; their forwards are competitive and they will look to take us on up front, whilst in the backs they have some real pace and experience.
“Nevertheless, we always feel confident that if we apply ourselves to the task in hand on any given match day, we believe we have the ability to come away with the right result.”
Titans: 15 Sam Veall, 14 Connor Field, 13 Lloyd Hayes, 12 Harry Dunne, 11 Jamie Cooke, 10 Joe Carlisle, 9 Sam Boxhall, 19 Tom Richardson, 2 Jack Bergmanas, 27 Rikki Stout, 4 Theo Nwosu-Hope, 5 Lewis Allan, 6 Kieran Curran, 7 Marcus Payne, 8 Zak Poole (Capt.).
Replacements: 16 Harry Newborn, 17 Colin Quigley, 18 Alastair Donkor, 25 Matti Williams, 21 George Tucker.
