Players old and new give nod to join Rotherham Titans' fightback

They include several new faces and a good proportion of existing squad members for what will be the club’s first campaign in regional rugby for 24 years.

Relegated from National One on a “best playing record formula” after the season was cut short due to the Covid-19 crisis, Rotherham intend righting a wrong by winning promotion back to English rugby’s third tier at the first attempt.

Director of rugby Martin Jenkinson told the Advertiser: “The squad is coming together nicely. 

“There is no ink on papers yet because of the current situation but more than 20 players have agreed in principle.”

Forwards coach Matt Smith has left Clifton Lane after two years, leaving a role that will be filled in due course. Prop Jack Bergmanas has also departed.

Exactly when head coach Steve Salvin and the players can get down to business is still in doubt as the game waits for further directives from the Government.

Matt Smith.

Added Jenkinson: “At the NCA AGM they said if we get started for mid-October then we can get a full season in. If it is later than that it was suggested there would be a certain number of home and away games for each team.

“If we can’t get a season started until the year end then it would be half a season and back to the days of playing teams either at home or away.

“Whether that scenario will end in promotion or relegation, I don’t know.”