Falcons stand in way of Titans' hopes

The North East men were this week relegated after the RFU unheld London Welsh’s appeal after they were controversially demied a place in the top flight following the Championship Play-off Final victory over Cornish Pirates.

And with Newcastle, boosted by a hefty parachute payment, determined to stride straight back to the Premiership it will make Andre Bester’s task much more difficult.

Rotherham have brought in a raft of new players and Bester remains confident that they have enough in the locker to make a serious challenge.

“We have recruited well and there is a mood in the camp that we will be a lot stronger than last season, so we will be going for it,” he said.