Titans capable of reaching Premiership, insists former star Sheridan

Sheridan, a former Leinster Academy product, left his native Ireland to play for the Titans in the 2012-2013 season before being snapped up by London Irish alongside centre pairing Fergus Mulchrone.

The pair enjoyed a successful first campaign in the Premiership last year, making 37 appearances between them, but the 25-year-old insists the Titans still hold a fond place in his heart, despite his brief stay.

And with contacts still at the club, Sheridan is impressed by the potential within the squad, picking out fly-half James McKinney – who rejoined the club this summer from Ulster – and backs Michael Keating and Sean Scanlon for particular praise.

“Rotherham are a good close-knit club and they deserve to do well,” he said. “There are still quite a few guys there who I am still quite close with.

“James McKinney was there the year I played. He re-signed back with Ulster and he’s now back with Rotherham again.

“He’s definitely one who could definitely make the step up. He is great at organising the game, he is very vocal around the pitch and has got a great kicking game and great skills set.

“Michael Keating and Sean Scanlon, who are two back three players who I have played with in the past, are awesome players too.

“They are very good footballers, they’re great under the high ball and great in attack as well, good feet and like to play good rugby. They’re definitely guys that have the ability to go far.

“The Championship is still a very high level. I was quite surprised because in Ireland I didn’t really know too much about what the standard was like. But I was very surprised when I came over and it’s a good standard to play every week.”

It is not just the individual potential that has impressed Sheridan however, who insists the entire club is geared towards making a push towards the top league.

Last season Lee Blackett’s side finished fourth to reach the play-offs before losing to Bristol in both legs of their semi-final, and Sheridan believes they can be up there competing once again.

“I’d like to think they can one day get up into the Premiership,” he added. “They are an ambitious club and it was something that was always spoken about when I was there, they do want to progress to the top level.

“When I was there, I guess resources were a bit of an issue for them but they’ve always had a decent squad of players that work hard for each other and a great fan base that will support the players.

“It was a huge season for me there, to get that experience and the game time. Like last season in the Premiership, I progressed my game so much during my time with Rotherham.

“They had a great season last year and hopefully they will have another one this time around.”

Formed in 2009, the Greene King IPA Championship is the second tier of professional rugby union in England. To keep up-to-date with all the latest news follow @ChampRugby on Twitter, or visit www.rfu.com/championship