News Template — Titans Rugby

Round 25 of National 1 this weekend sees Rotherham Titans host newly crowned Champions Richmond at Clifton Lane; kick off on Saturday is 2pm.

NOTE: Cash only on the gate £12 members - £15 non-members - please have the right money. Cards accepted at the bar.

Titans will go into their final home game of the season on the back of a hard-fought, but frustrating 31-24 defeat to Blackheath at The Utilita.

The game could have gone either way and had Rotherham been more clinical with their opportunities, they surely would have returned home with more than the 2 bonus points they did.

Nevertheless, Rotherham can be pleased of their endeavours in the capital and as the season draws to its conclusion, they can be very proud with how their first season back in National 1 has gone.

Few outside Clifton Lane would have anticipated a potential top 4 finish when the season started back in September, but that’s still a possibility with just two games remaining.

However, Champions Richmond will be aiming to stop that happening when they arrive in South Yorkshire this weekend.

There’s no doubt Richmond are deserved champions and all at Rotherham congratulate them on an outstanding season.

Titans will also look forward to measuring themselves against the best team in the division as they aim to finish off at Clifton Lane on a high.

In the reverse fixture at The Athletic Ground, Richmond edged a pulsating contest 31-29 with a last-gasp try in the final play from winger Chidera Obonna and another tight tussle is anticipated.

The overall head-to-head is also close; of the 15 league games contested Richmond hold a narrow 8-7 advantage, although the Londoners have won the last 5 games.

Going into this week’s game Rotherham have made four changes to their starting XV.

In the front row there’s a complete change as Jack Bergmanas returns at hooker as Harry Newborn moves into the back row. He’ll be flanked by Zach Toerien who comes in for Charlie Capps at loosehead and Rikki Stout who comes in for Andrew Foster at tighthead.

The second row sees John Okafor move there from the back row for Zak Poole and he’ll partner Harry Gilson-Fox.

In the back row Travis Gordon will captain the side and he’ll start on the blindside with Harry Newborn on the openside and Ellis Thomas at number 8.

Across the backline there are no changes, and Rotherham will go with the same half back combination of scrum half JB Bruzulier and fly half Rob Povey.

The midfield sees Lloyd Hayes and Jamie Cooke link up again.

And the back three sees Ronnie Du Randt on one wing with Cuchulain Livingstone on the other and Jack Townend at full back.

Commenting ahead of the game Harvey Biljon said:

“I think we need to put the Blackheath result into context; we came up against a team that’s in form and has definitely hit its straps through the back end of the season. You could see that with the results they got against Rams, Dings etc; but we’ve just gone away from home after a tough run of games, and we’ve come away with 2 points. To go away from home and to score 4 tries and to be within 7 points for me is still an achievement.

“Although frustrating not to get the win, we probably didn’t deserve the victory with the amount of opportunities that we left out there. So, you have to commend Blackheath, but we are probably more frustrated with certain elements of our own execution and opportunities missed.

“Our defeat meant Richmond were crowned champions and they deserved it, the league table doesn’t lie. When you have lost just 2 games and drawn 2 the whole season that puts you in prime position.

“How great is it going to be though this weekend to step up and play against the champions and to see out our last game at Clifton Lane in our first season back in National 1; what a way to see it out, and it probably aligns with how we’ve enjoyed and exceeded expectations this season.

“We can be very satisfied with how our first season back in National 1 has played out. We have a core group of players at Rotherham that are really committed and competitive and we’ve been able to ride the waves when things have gone our way, but also step-up in adversity and come through with a couple of results along the way.

“With regards to Richmond; I think you’ve got to commend Rob Powell and his squad, it’s tough to win silverware and to go out from day one, when they beat Blackheath on the opening weekend to this point where they have won the league with a couple of games to go, you have to congratulate them and I’m sure they will want to put in a championship winning team performance in these last two games.

“I remember the game we had down at Richmond, it was a great game to be part of. We lost it in the last play of the match when they scored a great try to take it away from us.

“I expect this game to be competitive and to be challenging, but I also expect Richmond to be full of confidence as champions and they deserve that. So, let us just go and enjoy ourselves; the weather seems to be turning and hopefully any supporters that are at the game will be able to enjoy a fantastic game of rugby.”

Titans: 15 Jack Townend, 14 Cuchulain Livingstone, 13 Lloyd Hayes, 12 Jamie Cooke, 11 Ronnie Du Randt, 10 Rob Povey, 9 JB Bruzulier, 1 Zach Toerien, 2 Jack Bergmanas, 3 Rikki Stout, 4 Harry Gilson-Fox, 5 John Okafor, 6 Travis Gordon ©,7 Harry Newborn, 8 Ellis Thomas.