The final round of the 2024/25 National 1 season takes place this weekend and it sees Rotherham journey south to take on third placed side Rosslyn Park; kick-off at Priory Lane on Saturday is 3pm.
Titans will go into their final game on the back of a high-scoring 40-38 thrilling win over champions Richmond at Clifton Lane, where the teams shared 12 tries in a keenly fought encounter.
Titans victory over Richmond ensured they have beaten every team in the division at least once this term.
It also means, that whatever the result against Rosslyn Park, Rotherham can’t finish lower than third in the league and that is an outstanding achievement for a team that was plying its trade in Nat 2 North last term.
If, however, Rotherham were hoping for an easy ride to finish the season, then they will be disappointed.
Rosslyn Park are bang in form and despite coming second best last time out at Rams, they have lost just 2 of their last 13 games. Indeed, Park have registered wins over every other side in the division, except Rotherham.
In what seems an absolute age ago Titans beat Park 31-21 on the opening day of the season at Clifton Lane, which in turn set up the South Yorkshire side for an amazing season.
The overall head-to-head after 6 previous league games stands at 3 wins apiece, with the home side winning on each occasion. Although Rotherham have beaten Park on the two times they have met in cup competitions.
Going into this week’s game Rotherham have made four changes to their starting XV.
In the front row hooker Jack Bergmanas will be flanked by Alastair Donkor who comes in for Zach Toerien at loosehead and Rikki Stout at tighthead.
The second row sees Lewis Allan come in as John Okafor moves into the back row and he’ll partner Harry Gilson-Fox.
In the back row alongside John Okafor on the blindside, Travis Gordon will start on the openside for Harry Newborn and skipper Zak Poole will be at number 8 for the injured Ellis Thomas.
Across the backline Rotherham 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 Tomasi Tanumi coming in for Cuchulain Livingstone on the other and Jack Townend at full back.
Titans: 15 Jack Townend, 14 Tomasi Tanumi, 13 Lloyd Hayes, 12 Jamie Cooke, 11 Ronnie Du Randt, 10 Rob Povey, 9 JB Bruzulier, 1 Alastair Donkor, 2 Jack Bergmanas, 3 Rikki Stout, 4 Lewis Allan, 5 Harry Gilson-Fox, 6 John Okafor, 7 Travis Gordon, 8 Zak Poole ©.
Replacements: 16 Ben Wright, 17 Loma Kivalu, 18 Andrew Foster, 19 Harry Newborn, 20 James Naylor.
