BREAKING: Titans part company with Burnell

Saturday’s 17-9 defeat in Jersey was the final straw for the club board and the decision was made to terminate the Welshman's rolling 30-day contract.

Burnell’s departure means that Rotherham will now be looking for their tenth coach in 13 seasons since Nick Cragg and Martin Jenkinson rescued the club from potential oblivion.

A club statement this morning said: “Rotherham Titans Rugby Club have today announced the departure of Head Coach Justin Burnell.

"Justin will leave the Club with immediate effect.

"It has been a difficult season and the Club feels now is the right time to make a change.

"The Club wishes to thank Justin and wish him every success in the future."

Burnell took over from Mark Jones last February and immediately rescued the club from potential relegation.

But given a restrictive budget and a catalogue of cutting injuries this year, Titans began to tumble down the table after a promising start.

Had Richmond beaten neighbours London Scottish on Saturday, it would have seen them drop to the bottom, although they don’t face the spectre of relegation after London Welsh’s demise.

The club will announce Burnell’s replacement later this week.

There’s a full analysis in this Friday’s Advertiser - plus why the Burnell tenure didn’t work out.