Rotherham Titans are all-set and prepared for the challenge they will face on Saturday when they welcome Lymm to Clifton Lane for week three of National 2 North; kick-off is 2pm.
Rotherham have made a good start to the season having won both of their opening games and will come into this one full of confidence having secured a hard-fought victory at Wharfedale last time out.
Wharfedale is notoriously a tough venue to visit and so having eventually won with a degree of comfort, hopes will be high of building on that success this week.
However, the visitors Lymm have already shown this season they are not to be underestimated and although they have lost both of their opening games, they have picked up the losing bonus point in each.
The Cheshire based outfit play their home games on an artificial surface and this often leads sides to play a more expansive style of rugby; one that is played at a high tempo through the backs. So it will be interesting to see how the styles of both teams play out at the weekend.
The clubs have only previously met once before, this came back in the 1989/90 season in North 2.
On that day at Clifton Lane Rotherham came out on top with a 34-9 win, with tries from Rivett (2), Treece and Brooksbank, whilst Plant added 18 points with the boot. And interestingly in the back row for Roth that afternoon was a certain Martin Jenkinson, the current Titans Director of Rugby.
Going into this one Titans have made five changes to their starting XV with four of them coming in the pack.
Alex Pleasants and Luke Cole come into the front row at loosehead prop and hooker respectively for Charlie Capps and Jack Bergmanas; whilst John Okafor comes into the second row for Matt Challinor and Marcus Payne comes into the back row for Rupert Kay.
The sole change in the backs sees Harry Dunne replace Callum Bustin at inside centre.
Speaking ahead of the match Titans head coach, Gary Pearce said:
“Looking back at the Wharfedale game we have to be pretty content with how it went. I think we played well at times; but for whatever reason we didn’t make the most of the opportunities we created in the first half. However, our second half performance was very good and we are pleased with where we are at this early stage of the season.
“It will have to be the same again on Saturday, we’ll have to make sure we are switched on and ready for the challenge that Lymm will bring. Lymm have always tried to play good rugby and they’ll be strong and competitive.
“Looking at the scores they’ve had, they can obviously score points and both of their games have been very close against Wharfedale and in a high-scoring match against Huddersfield. So we know they’ll come here and fancy giving us a run for our money.
“Our defence has been pretty good so far and we’ll look to try and keep that going, whilst also looking to put a few points on the board. It’s important however that we focus on ourselves and not worry too much about whoever our opponents are and let’s not forget to enjoy it along the way.”
Titans: 15 Jack Townend, 14 Dan Rundle, 13 Lloyd Hayes, 12 Harry Dunne, 11 Tomasi Tanumi, 10 Will Milner, 9 JB Bruzulier, 1 Alex Pleasants, 2 Luke Cole, 3 Gareth Denman, 4 John Okafor, 5 Matt Smith, 6 Marcus Payne, 7 Laurence Cowan-Leak, 8 Zak Poole (Capt.).
Replacements: 16 Jack Bergmanas, 17 Charlie Capps, 18 Reece Ward, 19 Matt Challinor, 20 Kareem Eissa.
