Titans look to halt slide as former coach visits

Rotherham Titans host Esher having won only once in their last four matches, a five-point triumph against bottom club Birmingham and Solihull. It is a sequence of results that has eroded the early-season optimism generated by victories over Bristol, Bedford and Nottingham.

Esher, led by Canadian Schmid who coached Rotherham in the Premiership in 2003-04, have similarly struggled to replicate their early-season form with a win over Bristol countered by defeat to Birmingham and a draw with Plymouth.

"There's a bit more of an edge for me and I really enjoyed my time there," said Schmid, who hopes former Titans fly-half Whitehead recovers from injury to feature today.

"We've gone there and won before so it's not a fortress."

Sickness has prevented Matt Williams from building on the two-try performance against Birmingham as Doncaster travel to Plymouth.

Williams's illness has forced Knights director of rugby Lynn Howells into a reshuffle with last season's leading try-scorer Andy Wright filling the breach.

Captain Steve Lawrie returns in place of Steve Boden, James Craig comes in at lock for Glen Kenworthy after two weeks on Challenge Cup duty with his parent club Leeds Carnegie and Zack Farivarz starts at flanker for Andy Boyde.

Tongan Talite Vaioleti returns from international duty into Wharfedale's No 8 shirt as they welcome Macclesfield in National One. Scrum-half Philip Woodhead and centre Andy Hodgson return from injury as Tommy McGee's side look to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Cambridge.

Back-row Neil Spence has rejoined Otley after a spell at Rotherham as Gary Walker's side host unbeaten Barking.

Spence spent 10 years at Cross Green and has returned initially on loan. Otley host Barking who have six of their seven opening games.