Rotherham Titans well beaten in pre-season opener

ROTHERHAM Titans head coach Steve Salvin says there is no panic after an heavy opening defeat in their first warm-up game of pre-season.

Titans returned from 17 months without a competitive fixture to lose 61-12 at Sale FC in a match played with uncontested scrums.

Fielding many new signings, Rotherham were second best to their hosts from National One. 

"We lost quite heavily but there were quite a lot of positives we can take in terms of understanding how we need to play for field position a bit better," said Salvin.

"We played against a very good National One side who are well established in terms of their squad and we are not quite at that point yet.

 

"We coughed up the ball in our half seven or eight times which led to them scoring tries. 

"It's a bit of a wake-up call in terms of how much work we have to do and how we manage the game better but there is no panic. It's disappointing but far from the end of the world."

Rotherham's tries came from two of their new boys, back row Theo Nwosu-Hope and flanker Harry Williams. Jonny West, starting his second spell at the club, tagged on a conversion.

Titans' next outing is away to Leeds on August 21.