Rotherham Titans 45 Ealing Trailfinders 7: Justin Burnell ready for war of attrition with struggling Titans

This re-arranged tie in the British & Irish Cup was of no consequence in terms of either side making further progress in the competition as both were already knocked out, but, as regards Rotherham, the contest was of the utmost importance.

The Titans urgently needed to win following 10 consecutive defeats under previous coach Mark Jones, who departed last Monday, and with six crucial league games remaining in which to confirm their professional and Championship status, the squad must respond to the crisis which has seen them fall to 10th in the league.

This morale-boosting victory by seven tries to one should have provided the confidence required to compete successfully in the much more significant game in the Championship against Bedford, fourth in the league, at Clifton Lane on Saturday.

After a mediocre first half in which Rotherham demonstrated the weaknesses that have caused their decline – ill-discipline, lost lineouts, carelessly losing possession in scoring positions and failing to defend against a rolling maul – the team improved beyond recognition.

The opening try by flanker Tom Calladine on 29 minutes was followed rapidly by six more during a second half in which Rotherham’s forwards dominated territory and revealed sufficient competitiveness to indicate they can produce favourable results in the league games ahead against Bedford, London Welsh, Nottingham, Jersey, London Scottish and Ealing.

Drawing 7-7 at the interval, Rotherham began to create and take opportunities and quickly destroyed Ealing as openings were seized by winger Michael Keating, Calladine again, centre Will Owen, playing his first game for five months after a serious leg injury, and forwards George Oram, Josh Redfern and Will Ryan.

Rotherham’s encouraging performance was spoiled by injuries to half-backs Dan White (leg) and James McKinney (shoulder) which may prevent them playing against Bedford, but scrum-half Andy Davies and fly-half Will Goodwin took over successfully with the latter impressing again in his all-round play.

Indeed, Goodwin’s five conversions advanced Rotherham’s score from 7-7 after 30 minutes to 35-7 after 60 minutes as the Titans’ authority grew.

At today’s training session, Burnell starts planning Bedford’s downfall, and, as the former Cardiff Blues and London Welsh coach explained, the preparations were helped by the display against Ealing:

“Scoring seven tries is a nice way to start and it’s great to see a smile on the players’ faces. The vocal support from the fans was outstanding. I was really impressed with the way the bench performed, players like Jack Preece, Toby Williams and Lewis Thiede.

“They played a major part. We have to transfer this performance into the next two Championship games. This league is a war of attrition, so we have to maintain pressure and play in the right areas and to keep hold of the ball,” said Burnell .

“We need to work on our lineout and you can’t afford to turn the ball over. We should have had another two or three tries and kept our discipline. We conceded a try from a driving maul, but if we hadn’t given away two penalties, we wouldn’t have been in the corner.

“I’ve come in with a completely clean sheet and I don’t have any biased opinions because I don’t really know the players yet but from what I’ve seen here and in training, there is a lot of quality at Rotherham.

“I’m impressed with the players’ attitude and I’m no different to them because I want to be coaching in the Championship next season. I think we’ve got be looking for 12 points, but I think 10 points will keep us in the league.”

Later today, he will find out the extent of the injuries to White, who needed seven stitches in his right leg, and to McKinney, who was taken to hospital for treatment on his shoulder.

The pack will be strengthened by the return of locks Tom Holmes and Barney Maddison.

Rotherham Titans: Scanlon, Keating, J Davies, Goodwin, Owen (Carter 72), McKinney (Hayes 12), White(A Davies 33), Hislop (Williams 64), Harris (Maddison 40), Tampin (Thiede 52), Salmon, Oram, Ryan, Calladine, Redfern.

Ealing Trailfinders: Wheatcroft, Wilson, Stanley, Munro, Stephenson, Roberts, Davies, Kilbane (Porter 60), Gibson (Cornish 55), Buck(Holford 57), Hannay,(Orr 71), Spivey, Grace, Bradley(Bush 71), Kenny.

Referee: J Makepeace (RFU).