Titans Face Champions Worcester Test at Sixways

It may only be week 2 of the new Elior Champ Rugby season, but Rotherham Titans face one of the biggest tests in the division when they travel to Sixways Stadium on Saturday to take on reigning champions Worcester Warriors.

The game gets underway at the earlier time of 1pm, with Titans heading into the contest full of confidence following an outstanding opening-week victory over Coventry Rugby.

Rotherham produced a thrilling 38-35 triumph at Clifton Lane last Saturday, overcoming last season’s semi-finalists in a pulsating encounter which saw Titans score six tries to Coventry’s five.

With the scores finely poised, centre Mitchell Lacey-Babalola raced over to put Rotherham in front for the first time with just two minutes remaining.

What followed was a dramatic final passage of play as Coventry threw everything at the hosts, but Titans defended heroically under enormous pressure to hold on for a famous victory in front of a raucous Clifton Lane crowd.

It was the perfect start to life back at level two for Rotherham, who are competing in the Champ for the first time in eight years.

However, if the visit of Coventry represented a major opening-day challenge, this weekend’s assignment looks even more challenging as Titans make the trip to the home of the reigning champions.

Worcester Warriors laid down an emphatic marker in the opening round, demolishing last season’s beaten finalists Bedford Blues 40-5 at Sixways.

Matt Everard’s side produced a dominant display to outscore Bedford by six tries to one, with a bumper crowd of almost 6,000 supporters witnessing a performance which suggested there will be no hangover for the Warriors.

Titans will therefore arrive in Worcestershire knowing they face a formidable challenge, but there will be no shortage of belief within the Rotherham camp.

Few outside Clifton Lane will expect the visitors to come away with anything, and they may ultimately be proved right, but this Titans side has already demonstrated that it’s capable of competing at this level.

Rather than fear the challenge, Rotherham will relish it, and they will be determined to make the champions work for everything they get.

There is also plenty of history between the two clubs.

The sides met eight times at level two between 1998 and 2003, with Rotherham enjoying the better of those encounters, winning six of the eight meetings.

More recent history however has favoured the Warriors who have won the last four meetings, the last of which took place back in 2015.

Titans Director of Rugby, Harvey Biljon, has made six changes to the starting XV which defeated Coventry, with three of those changes coming in the pack.

Zac Nearchou comes into the front row at loosehead prop in place of Alastair Donkor, while Morgan Veness starts at hooker and Corrie Barrett continues at tighthead.

Louis Guthrie retains his place in the second row and is joined by debutant Alfie Bell.

John Okafor moves into the back row at blindside for Travis Gordon, where he is joined by openside Harry Stone and number eight Ellis Thomas, who comes in for Callum Bustin.

There are also three changes behind the scrum.

Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti starts at scrum-half in place of JB Bruzulier and partners Russell Bennett in the half-backs.

In midfield, Ali Mgijima is joined by match-winner Mitchell Lacey-Babalola, with Lloyd Hayes making way.

Along the back three Ben Cambriani starts on the left wing with Epi Rokodrava coming in on the right wing for Jackson Barling, while Isaac Shaw continues at full-back.

The challenge could hardly be greater, but neither could the opportunity.

Champions Worcester await, Sixways is sure to provide an imposing atmosphere, and Titans will know they must match the Warriors’ physicality, discipline and intensity from the opening whistle.

After announcing their return to the Champ with a victory over Coventry, Rotherham now have the chance to show just how far they have come.

One thing is certain: the Titans will not be travelling to Sixways simply to make up the numbers.

Titans: 15 Isaac Shaw, 14 Epi Rokodrava, 13 Mitchell Lacey-Babalola, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Ben Cambriani, 10 Russell Bennett (Capt.), 9 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti, 1 Zac Nearchou, 2 Morgan Veness, 3 Corrie Barrett, 4 Louis Guthrie, 5 Alfie Bell, 6 John Okafor, 7 Harry Stone, 8 Ellis Thomas.

Replacements: 16 Dewald Kotze, 17 Alastair Donkor, 18 Tom Bairstow, 19 Curran Maguire, 20 Travis Gordon (c/c), 21 Callum Bustin, 22 Brent Jackson, 23 Lloyd Hayes.