Team News: Titans v Esher

A rearranged National 1 fixture this weekend will see Rotherham Titans travel to Surrey where they’ll take on Esher Rugby at Molesley Road; kick-off on Saturday has been brought forward by 15 minutes to 2:45pm.

The original fixture was slated for last month, but a frozen pitch meant the match had to be postponed.

Titans will go to Esher on the back of a brutally hard fought, but well-deserved 17-11 win over Bishop’s Stortford, where the combative nature of the clash at Silver Leys saw 3 Titans players suffer hand injuries that will keep them out this week.

Hooker’s Jack Bergmanas and Luke Cole both suffered fractured hands, whilst back rower John Okafor is set to see a hand specialist regarding his injury.

Titans win over Bishop’s Stortford combined with Rams defeat to Birmingham Moseley has seen the South Yorkshire side go into second spot in the table, seven points behind Richmond with Saturday’s game in hand.

A win over Esher would narrow the gap at the top significantly, however, the Molesley Road outfit under former England and British Lions flanker, Peter Winterbottom, are not to be underestimated.

Winterbottom, capped 58 times by England and 7 times by the Lions, has been there and seen it all, and he’s sure to have his players ready to take on Rotherham this weekend.

Indeed, Esher’s recent form has been impressive having won 3 of their last 4 outings. Two eye-catching results include victories away to Birmingham Moseley and a home win over high-flyers Rosslyn Park where Esher put 54 points on their near neighbours and scored 8 tries along the way!

Other notable results include victories over Leicester Lions away and Dings Crusaders at home, where again Esher scored heavily as they ran in 7 tries.

Obviously, no one at Clifton Lane will be underestimating the task ahead!

Titans and Esher have previously met on eleven occasions with the South Yorkshire side holding an 8-3 advantage.

In the reverse fixture at Clifton Lane in week 3, Rotherham ran out 48-19 winners; however, with 15 minutes to go it was a close game as Titans held a slender 7-point lead, before a storming finish saw them score 22 points in the latter stages.

Going into this week’s match Rotherham have made five changes to their starting XV.

In the front row with both hooker’s, Jack Bergmanas and Luke Cole being injured, Rotherham have moved to bring in hooker Morgan Veness on a short-term loan from Championship side Cambridge.

Veness will be flanked by props Charlie Capps at loosehead and Andrew Foster at tighthead.

The second row sees Harry Gilson-Fox come in for Curran Maguire and he’ll partner skipper Zak Poole.

In the back row Travis Gordon returns from the midfield to his usual position at openside as Ellis Thomas nudges across to the blindside for the injured John Okafor, with Callum Bustin at number 8.

In the half backs James Naylor replaces JB Bruzulier at scrum half and he’ll accompany Rob Povey who comes back into the side following injury.

Povey’s return means Lloyd Hayes returns to the midfield where he’ll partner Jamie Cooke who is also returning from injury.

The back three sees Ronnie Du Randt move from the wing to replace Jack Townend at full back with Tomasi Tanumi on one wing having moved from the centres and Calum Barrett on the other wing.

Titans: 15 Ronnie Du Randt, 14 Tomasi Tanumi, 13 Lloyd Hayes, 12 Jamie Cooke, 11 Calum Barrett, 10 Rob Povey, 9 James Naylor, 1 Charlie Capps ©, 2 Morgan Veness, 3 Andrew Foster, 4 Zak Poole ©, 5 Harry Gilson-Fox, 6 Ellis Thomas, 7 Travis Gordon, 8 Callum Bustin.

Replacements: 16 Harry Newborn, 17 Zach Toerien, 18 Eoin Harrison, 19 Curran Maguire, 20 JB Bruzulier.