Round 24 of National 1 sees Rotherham Titans travel south to the capital where they’ll take on top five side Blackheath at The Utilita at Well Hall; kick off on Saturday is 3pm.
Titans will go into the game on the back of a hard-fought, but frustrating 30-19 defeat to Rams Rugby at Old Bath Road, where on another day they could have easily come out on top.
Literally the bounce of the ball, coupled with factors outside their control contributed to their downfall, but rather than look for excuses, Rotherham will simply focus on working hard in training and preparing as well as they can for the next game.
That next game, as always in National 1 is a tough one and Blackheath will be ready to provide the sternest of challenges as they look to continue their fine recent form.
Club, as they are known, have won five of their last six outings which have included some notable victories.
At home they impressed against Rams with a 39-33 win, whilst on their travels they have beaten Sale FC 33-19 and last time out went to Dings where they gave them a 43-26 thumping, running in 7 tries.
In the reverse fixture at Clifton Lane Titans edged a nervy affair 15-12 with a Corben Ollivent drop goal in the final play and another tight game is expected.
The overall head-to-head sees Rotherham hold a 7-3 advantage, but Blackheath have won 2 of the last three games and you have to go back to February 1999 to find Rotherham’s last win at Club; where that day five tries from Matt Walker, Jon Shepherd, Dave Scully, Dean Lax and Mike Umaga helped Rotherham to a 29-19 win.
Going into this week’s game Rotherham have made two changes to their starting XV.
In the front row they have the same line-up as hooker Harry Newborn is flanked by props Charlie Capps at loosehead and Andrew Foster at tighthead.
The second row also stays the same as skipper Zak Poole partners Harry Gilson-Fox.
In the back row John Okafor will fill the blindside position with Travis Gordon on the openside with Ellis Thomas returning to the side at number 8 for the injured Callum Bustin.
Across the backline Rotherham go with the same half back combination of scrum half JB Bruzulier and fly half Rob Povey.
The midfield remains the same too as Lloyd Hayes and Jamie Cooke link up again.
The back three sees Ronnie Du Randt on one wing with Calum Barrett coming in on the other wing for Luckas Sableman-Blue, with Jack Townend at full back.
Titans: 15 Jack Townend, 14 Ronnie Du Randt, 13 Lloyd Hayes, 12 Jamie Cooke, 11 Calum Barrett, 10 Rob Povey, 9 JB Bruzulier, 1 Charlie Capps ©, 2 Harry Newborn, 3 Andrew Foster, 4 Zak Poole ©, 5 Harry Gilson-Fox, 6 John Okafor, 7 Travis Gordon, 8 Ellis Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Ben Wright, 17 Zach Toerien, 18 Rikki Stout, 19 Curran Maguire, 20 James Naylor.
