Following the National League Rugby break Rotherham Titans are back in action on Saturday when they travel to the Midlands to take on Birmingham Moseley; kick-off at Billesley Common is 3pm.
Titans go into the game off the back of a hard-fought, but well-deserved 38-28 bonus point win over Tonbridge Juddians a fortnight ago.
The South Yorkshire side had to graft hard for their win against Tonbridge; after trailing 21-12 at the break Titans stormed back in the second half to claim a victory that keeps them second in the league, just a point adrift of leaders Rosslyn Park.
Following that tough encounter Rotherham face another one against Moseley, showing once again there are no easy games in this most attritional of leagues.
Moseley’s position in the table is most definitely a false one, as a closer inspection of their results will testify and as such they will not be underestimated.
The Midlanders have impressed this term with a big win over Leicester Lions and an eye-catching victory over Blackheath and whilst they have suffered defeats, three of those have come away from home to leading sides Rosslyn Park, Plymouth Albion and Rams, the latter being a narrow 3-point reversal.
Additionally, with the long history between the sides, dating back almost 30 years, Rotherham know just how tough it is to get a result at Billesley Common. Of the last five meetings at Billesley, Rotherham have won just one.
Going into the game Rotherham have made 3 changes to their starting XV, with just one change coming in the forwards.
In the front row hooker Morgan Veness will be flanked by Alastair Donkor at loosehead prop and Andrew Foster at tighthead.
The second row sees Frankie Gascoigne come in for Curran Maguire and he’ll link-up with Harry Gilson-Fox, whilst in the back row, alongside John Okafor at blindside and skipper Harry Newborn at openside, Ellis Thomas starts at number 8.
Along the backline, there’s a new combination in the half backs; Sinjin Broad retains his spot at scrum half, but he’ll be partnered by Lloyd Hayes who comes in at fly half for Corben Ollivent, whilst in midfield Travis Gordon is joined again by Mitchell Lacey-Babalola.
The back three sees Luckas Sableman-Blue come in on one wing for Kieran O’Meara with Jackson Barling on the other and Isaac Shaw at full back.
Titans: 15 Isaac Shaw, 14 Jackson Barling, 13 Mitchell Lacey-Babalola, 12 Travis Gordon, 11 Luckas Sableman-Blue, 10 Lloyd Hayes, 9 Sinjin Broad, 1 Alastair Donkor, 2 Morgan Veness, 3 Andrew Foster, 4 Frankie Gascoigne, 5 Harry Gilson-Fox, 6 John Okafor, 7 Harry Newborn (Capt.), 8 Ellis Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cole, 17 Zach Toerien, 18 Xavier Valentine, 19 Cory Teague, 20 Will Metcalfe.
