Rotherham Titans tackle tough Devon mission

Brickfields is a hard place to get results for so many visiting teams — not least because of the distance — and Rotherham have lost six of their last eight matches there.

Although Titans will travel to Devon boosted by their first National One win of the season at home to Sale FC last week, they are under no illusions as to the size of the task. 

Director of rugby Martin Jenkinson said: “Whether you're in Championship or National One, if you're going to do well you have to get results in the south west and it's hard. Plymouth play a particularly physical brand of rugby. 

“It's a long trip and if you look at the stats, not many (travelling) sides do well in the south west.

“Together with our first match at Rosslyn Park, we've had two tough away games but at least it gets them out of the way. We're not going to get harder fixtures than what we've started with.”

Titans' coaching team take in last Saturday's game from the gantry. Pictures by Steve Mettam

Wing Ben Robbins, one of the four try scorers against Sale, believes Rotherham can travel south with confidence.

“We played well in spells at Rosslyn there but other aspects let us down," he said. "Against Sale our defence was rock solid. We gave away a couple of tries at the end but were generally very happy. We put some good attacks as well, so we've built on that first game.

“Hopefully we can take the form we showed against Sale with us down to Plymouth and be a force there."

Centre Tom Bullough (shoulder) is the only new injury concern aside from long-term absentees Rikki Stout and Ianto Jones.

Dan Preston-Routledge returns to the second row in place of Kieran Frost. Wing Dan Leake is back for Connor Field and Tom Bacon, who was on Sevens duty with Wasps last week, starts at full-back in place of Sam Allan.

Kick-off tomorrow is at 3pm.

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