Crushed Titans look for new blood

ROTHERHAM Titans will look to bring in new players to bolster the side ahead of back-to-back British and Irish Cup games against Ealing.

Sunday's 47-11 clubbing at Yorkshire Carnegie underlined the Titans' need to add to their strength and coach Andy Key will this week move to make additions, probably loan signings from the top tier.

The seven-try battering at Headingley leaves Rotherham a massive 17 points adrift of second-bottom London Scottish at the midway point of the season with the almost certain inevitability that they will be relegated.

Key put a brave face on events afterwards, having watched his side work hard with the ball in hand but succumbing to a one-dimensional Leeds side who maximised their pack advantage.

"We can take some consolation from our second half performance; it was a performance which allowed us to put a little bit of pride back into the side," he said.

“In the very early stages we actually played quite well,  our kicking game was good, we were playing territory quite well and we scored three points to take the lead from Lee Millar's penalty.

"But then nearly everything that they got came off our mistakes. So that’s hugely disappointing, because to go in at half time 33-11 down was embarrassing.

“I was more pleased with our second half display; but unfortunately we’re still looking at a loss and we still shipped 47 points."

After the break, Rotherham couldn't make the most of their possession while the hosts scored another two tries to make it three thumpings on the spin at Headingley and leave Key's side staring further into the relegation trapdoor.

There's all the analysis — and it isn't pretty reading — in this Friday's Advertiser.