Titans Rugby kick-off their Championship campaign at Clifton Lane
Titans Rugby kick-off their Championship campaign at Clifton Lane on Sunday, when they welcome league leaders after round 1 Bedford Blues, to the “Home of Rugby” in Rotherham.
Titans, who narrowly lost 26-20 at London Scottish on the opening day, will be determined to open their account at Clifton Lane with a victory over the Blues.
However, last season’s Championship runners-up and losing semi finalist are sure to provide stern opposition and with the stats showing that Bedford have won 13 of the last 15 contests between the sides, Titans are acutely aware of the difficult challenge ahead.
Titans Head Coach Andre Bester makes just one change to his starting line-up. Dan Sanderson comes into the side at lock, moving Barney Maddison to blind side flanker in place of Toby Freeman. Latu Makaafi gets the nod for a place on the bench with the likeable Tongan eager to impress when his opportunity arises.
Looking ahead to the match Andre Bester said, “Bedford have match winners all over the pitch and we have prepared with the greatest respect for them. Their approach to the game will not change; everyone aspires to play the Bedford way because they play a total game. They can play a close-quarter game if they have to and they can strike out wide when they have to. Having said that, I am looking for a very good performance from our boys and I know if we get that, the result will take care of itself.”
Titans: 15 Mike Whitehead, 14 Eamonn Sheridan, 13 Lee Blackett (Capt.), 12 Pale Nonu, 11 Peter Homan, 10 James McKinney, 9 Jimmy Williams, 1 Jamie Kilbane, 2 Dan Baines, 3 Ross Davies, 4 Neale Patrick, 5 Dan Sanderson, 6 Barney Maddison, 7 Carl Kirwan, 8 Alex Rieder.
Replacements: 16 Ted Stagg, 17 Marshall Gadd, 18 Simon Gardiner, 19 Rory Pitman, 20 Latu Makaafi, 21 Joel Gill, 22 Charlie Mulchrone or Mike Doneghan or Garry Law*
*Subject to a medical
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