The first weekend of the new National 1 season begins tomorrow with Rotherham facing an exciting challenge when they traverse the Pennines to take on Sale FC; kick-off at Heywood Road is 2:30pm.
This is the time of the year when all clubs have an excited feel about them, as all hopes and aspirations for the season ahead are alive and kicking.
Last season was Titans’ first back in National 1 after a three-year absence following promotion from Nat 2 North, with the South Yorkshire side acquitting themselves extremely well with an unexpected but deserved third placed finish.
However, that accomplishment won’t be an easy one to replicate, as most of the sides in the division have recruited strongly as the chase for Champ Rugby hots up.
Titans themselves have seen a number of players depart - all of whom go with the best wishes of the club - and with it several new faces have arrived at Clifton Lane.
Several of the new additions are young with raw potential, whilst there’s a sprinkling of more experienced players adding depth to the squad.
Pre-season training has been demanding, and the squad appears to be gelling nicely after three pre-season games against Hull Ionians, Sheffield and Durham University allowed most of the players to show what they can do.
However, the real test starts on Saturday with the resumption of league rugby and having never beaten Sale FC at Heywood Road in three attempts, Rotherham’s task will not be straightforward.
Going into the game and despite the comings and goings, Titans starting XV sees just four players making their debut, all of which come in the backline.
Regardless of that, there’s a familiar feel in the half back positions as scrum half JB Bruzulier links-up once again with Rob Povey.
The midfield sees last season’s leading points scorer Lloyd Hayes joined by debutant Mitchell Lacey-Babalola.
And the back three sees a complete set of debutants with Jackson Barling and Sinjin Broad on the wings, and Isaac Shaw at full back.
In the front row hooker Morgan Veness will be flanked by Alastair Donkor at loosehead and Andrew Foster at tighthead.
The second row sees Frankie Gascoigne link-up with Harry Gilson-Fox, whilst in the back row alongside John Okafor on the blindside, Harry Newborn will captain the team from the openside, with Ellis Thomas at number 8.
Titans: 15 Isaac Shaw, 14 Jackson Barling, 13 Lloyd Hayes, 12 Mitchell Lacey-Babalola, 11 Sinjin Broad, 10 Rob Povey, 9 JB Bruzulier, 1 Alastair Donkor, 2 Morgan Veness, 3 Andrew Foster, 4 Frankie Gascoigne, 5 Harry Gilson-Fox, 6 John Okafor, 7 Harry Newborn ©, 8 Ellis Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cole, 17 Zach Toerien, 18 Xavier Valentine, 19 Travis Gordon, 20 Callum Bustin.
