Titans coach Blackett expecting Connaught to be seeking revenge

Rotherham Titans look to maintain their strong start to the season across the Irish Sea at Connaught A today in the British and Irish Cup.
Titans chief Lee BlackettTitans chief Lee Blackett
Titans chief Lee Blackett

Having defeated Bedford in an attritional fixture last week at Clifton Lane, Rotherham headed over to Ireland on Thursday to give themselves ample time to prepare.

Connaught’s A-team are the club’s representatives in this competition, with their senior side on Heineken Cup duty.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Rotherham are under no illusions about the size of the task they face, especially as Leinster’s second string won this competition last season.

“It’s their A-team but we know it’s going to be difficult,” said Titans head coach Lee Blackett.

“They didn’t have a great start last week, but they will be smarting and we expect a very tough test at home.

“On their home patch they’ll be roared on by a good crowd and they will be dangerous so we have to be on top of our game.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Blackett has made seven changes to the team but insists that it remains a competition he wants the club to do well in.

“We’re resting (centre) Juan Pablo Socino because he has a knock, so it’s more precaution than anything else,” said Blackett.

“We want him to be fit for the following week against Scottish.”

Doncaster Knights may have won six out of six in the National One season but they have been forced into the transfer market to ease their injury problems.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Props Ross Davies and Tom Davies have been ruled out for extended periods forcing director of rugby Clive Griffiths to go ‘shopping’.

That resulted in the signing of Italian prop Tiziano Pasquali yesterday on a loan deal from Premiership champions Leicester Tigers.

The promising youngster can play either side of the hooker and is a current member of the Italy Under-20s squad.

He is set to play a big role in the upcoming Under-20s Six Nations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Doncaster’s perfect start to the season is put on the line today when they host second-placed Loughborough Students, who are four points behind after winning five of their opening six games.

Hull Ionians have the chance to register their first win of the National One campaign at third-bottom Old Albanians.