Leinster will give Titans chance to measure themselves, says Jones

But Rotherham Titans are not one of them.

Mark Jones’s side have already seen hopes of escaping Pool One extinguished having lost three of their four games so far even before Saturday’s home fixture with bottom-placed Ealing Trailfinders was frozen off.

They are also on the back of a six-match losing run so, on that basis, having to venture to Dublin tonight to face B&I Cup masters Leinster A is hardly an enticing prospect.

However, as they prepare to take on gilded opponents who have won all five pool games and have lifted the trophy in two of the last three years, Jones insists his squad are invigorated.

“Leinster will present us with a good opportunity to test ourselves in a different environment,” he said, as they look for some form before returning to Championship action at high-flying Doncaster Knights a week Sunday.

“They are a side that like to throw the ball around, but since we last played them (a 12-9 defeat in November) they’ve really improved in the set-piece and they look a lot more powerful.

“They are scoring a lot of maul tries to go with the multi-phase ones they score with the backs they’ve got.

“Leinster are a well-rounded team and you only have to look at the results they’ve had in our pool to see they are quality.

“They are very well-coached, have plenty of pace and power and it will be a great opportunity for our guys to measure themselves against that level and calibre of player.

“I’m sure they’ve a number of players that will go on to play Pro 12 and Champions Cup rugby somewhere down the line.

“However, we know when we get our own game right we can play rugby against anybody and we’re excited to go to Leinster and face the challenge.”

Titans see Jordan Davies replace Lloyd Hayes at centre, fly-half Ross Jones preferred to James McKinney, Jack Preece take over from hooker Charlie Maddison, Mark Tampin take Lewis Thiede’s spot at tighthead and Josh Redfern start at No 8.