Bester looking for better

Posted on Sep 10, 2010 in Championship, English Rugby

Rotherham Titans Head Coach Andre Bester has played down the importance of the final score in his side’s match against Worcetser on Saturday, insisting that an improvement in performance is of far greater significance.

Supporters will recall the long-standing rivalry between the two sides who battled for the top spot in National One between 2001 and 2002.

Rotherham won the league on both occasions to deny Worcester promotion but they replaced the Titans in the Premiership in 2004 and firmly established themselves in the top flight before suffering relegation last season.

The clubs haven’t met since 2003 rendering history inconsequential to the current crop.

“Worcester play rugby like a premiership team and the result of this game is nowhere near as important as the process we are going through to get to where we want to be,” said Bester.

“We are developing a young team and that is a process that can’t be forced.

“People remind me that we beat Leeds at Headingley a few years ago but the team we took there had been together for two years and included a lot of experienced players.

“We’re trying to build a sky scraper but we’ve only just begun to dig the foundations.”

Second-row forward James Sandford is unavailable for selection having endured a family bereavement opening the door for Louis McGowan or Sam Dickinson to step up from the bench.Willaim Durrant and Jamie Kilbane also come into the squad.

Bester’s young charges have surpassed expectations by earning victories over Bristol and Bedford but will face a much tougher test against a Worcester side that have also won two from two.

“There is nothing that can be done to prepare young players for games like this – they have to experience them for themselves,” said Bester.

“There will be a cauldron of pressure and we will see which players thrive in that environment and which players struggle to cope.“Pressure produces players and some of them will step up and demonstrate that they can handle the intensity.

“We’re happy with the results we have achieved but we’re not happy with the performances that we’ve put in and whatever the final score on Saturday, if I see that we have continued to make progress in understanding the structures and systems that have been put in place then I will be happy.”

Rotherham Titans squad (from): Richard Welding, Peter Swatkins, John Hepworth, Juan Pablo Socino, Matthew Rhodes, Cliffie Hodgson, Joe Bedford, Nico Steenkamp, Alex Loney, Rob O’Donnell, Ben Harris, Sam Dickinson, Ryan Burrows, Daniel Baines, Adam Kettle, Colin Quigley, Anton O’Donnell, David McGregor, Jamie Kilbane, Tyle Stimpson, Henry Paul, Louis McGowan, William Durrant

Flood returns for Leicester’s game with Leeds

Posted on Nov 27, 2009 in Rugby News

Toby Flood will make his first start of the season as Leicester Tigers host Leeds Carnegie in the Guinness Premiership at Welford Road on Saturday (3pm).

The England international fly-half suffered an Achilles injury in the Heineken Cup semi-final against Cardiff Blues in May but he has proved his fitness in two appearances as a replacement in the last fortnight.

Matt Smith comes in on the wing in place of Johne Murphy who is on international duty with Ireland A as the only change to backline following last Friday’s game at Gloucester.

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England team to face NZ – Shaw, Worsley & Erinle in

Posted on Nov 19, 2009 in Rugby News

England have made three changes in personnel to the side to face New Zealand in the Investec Challenge international at Twickenham on Saturday (2.30pm).

London Wasps lock Simon Shaw, flanker Joe Worsley and Biarritz centre Ayoola Erinle come into the starting line-up and there is a positional switch at full back where Mark Cueto trades places with Ugo Monye.

Shaw takes over from Louis Deacon and wins his 53rd cap at the age of 36, former Wasps and Leicester centre Erinle makes his first start in place of Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints) and experienced Wasps flanker Worsley replaces Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) in the back row.

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Thompson gets shock Australia start

Posted on Nov 5, 2009 in Rugby News

Steve Thompson will make his first international start since 2006 when England line up against Australia in the Investec Challenge international at Twickenham on Saturday. (2.30pm).

Brive hooker Thompson is joined by fellow 2003 Rugby World Cup winners Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) and Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers) in the team to face the Wallabies.

Thompson last started for England against France in the 2006 RBS Six Nations although he did come off the bench against Argentina at Old Trafford in June. He, Wilkinson and Moody will win their 49th, 71st and 54th caps respectively.

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