Rotherham Titans pack man aims to make amends against DMP

Darlington eased to a 42-19 win in September at the Northern Echo Arena against a new-look side lacking cohesion, organisation and self-belief.

Three months on, Titans have kicked on while the north east side, fancied by many to challenge this season, have settled in mid-table in National One, winning seven and losing eight of their fixtures.

Canadian second row Keys was part of the Rotherham team sent packing in September and the memories are still fresh.

“I think the team has got a lot closer since then,” he told the Advertiser. “We had two tough games to start the season against Old Elthamians and then Darlington. We’ve had time since to get together and fix the little issues that we had from being new guys playing together. We’re not new guys any more, we are all together as one and that makes it a lot easier out there.”

Titans, placed fourth, want to ensure a happy Christmas by reeling off a fifth straight win.

They have made two changes to the team which overcame Blackheath 10-7 last week. Hooker Jack Bergamanas replaces Ali Thomson in the front row and there’s a new face in the second row in Kieran Frost, who has signed on dual registration terms from Leeds Carnegie. As a result, Luis Ball returns to the back row in place of the injured Eru Smith-Wano.

Kick-off is 2pm and today's N1 programme also sees a first-versus-second battle as leaders Old Elthamians host Blackheath.

More from Conor Keys and head coach Joe Barker in this week’s Advertiser.