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#Post#: 12601--------------------------------------------------
Team news v Leicester Lions
DIR By: Rucko
Date: October 3, 2025, 7:09 am
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Titans: 15 Isaac Shaw, 14 Jackson Barling, 13 Lloyd Hayes, 12
Travis Gordon, 11 James Norman, 10 Rob Povey, 9 Sinjin Broad, 1
Alastair Donkor, 2 Morgan Veness, 3 Tom Bairstow, 4 Frankie
Gascoigne, 5 Harry Gilson-Fox, 6 John Okafor, 7 Curran Maguire,
8 Harry Newborn (Capt.).
Replacements: 16 Luke Cole, 17 Zach Toerien, 18 Calvin Mitchell,
19 Mitchell Lacey-Babalola, 20 Noah Cowan.
Round 5 of National 1 this weekend sees an in-form Rotherham
Titans travel to the East Midlands to take on Leicester Lions at
Westleigh Park; kick-off on Saturday is 2pm.
Rotherham continued their impressive start to the campaign last
week with a huge 71-12 win over Bishop’s Stortford. The game was
a cracker in which the South Yorkshire side ran in 11 tries, 8
of which were scored by the backs.
The bonus point win moved Titans onto to 20 points in the
league, alongside Plymouth Albion and Rosslyn Park, however, a
slightly better points difference sees Rotherham currently sit
at the top.
By contrast Rotherham’s opponents this week Leicester Lions have
had a challenging start to the season, albeit against some top
sides in the division.
Indeed, Lions last outing in Devon against unbeaten Plymouth
Albion saw them collect a well-deserved try bonus point and that
will have given them a boost going forward.
As always Rotherham will not be underestimating their opponents,
and it will be fresh in their minds that both games against
Lions last season proved to be challenging.
In the first game at Westleigh Park Titans trailed at the break
before finding their feet in the second half to go on and get
the win. Whilst in the return fixture at Clifton Lane, in
another hard-fought battle, Rotherham did get the win, but not
the bonus point.
Going into this week’s game Rotherham have made 4 changes to
their starting XV, two of which come in the forwards.
In the front row hooker Morgan Veness will be flanked by
Alastair Donkor at loosehead prop and Tom Bairstow who comes in
for Andrew Foster at tighthead.
The second row remains the same which sees Frankie Gascoigne
link-up with Harry Gilson-Fox, whilst in a reshuffled back row,
alongside John Okafor at blindside, skipper Harry Newborn moves
from openside to number 8 in place of Callum Bustin, with Curran
Maguire coming in at openside.
Along the backline, Sinjin Broad comes in at scrum half for JB
Bruzulier and he’ll pair-up with Rob Povey in the half backs,
whilst in midfield Travis Gordon continues alongside Lloyd
Hayes.
The back three sees James Norman come in on the wing for
Mitchell Lacey-Babalola with Jackson Barling on the other wing,
and Isaac Shaw at full back.
Looking ahead to the match Titans Harvey Biljon said:
"It's another challenge away from home and it is important not
to get caught up with the league table and where they are.
"They play on a wide pitch, and we've got to be ready for a team
that's going to throw everything at us.
"I've not played an easy game of rugby yet and we've got to
remain honest. If we're honest with our preparation, then we'll
be in a good place for the weekend."
#Post#: 12602--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team news v Leicester Lions
DIR By: Rothoik
Date: October 3, 2025, 7:55 am
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Its an interesting squad, just a few tweaks, rests for JB and
Fozzy (both well earned) and a chance to see some new talent. It
looks formidable and we have an excellent bench. I hope its too
much for the Lions but they are improving and have played some
of the leagues heavy weights (of which we are top). Heres to
another 5 pointer but feet on the ground.
#Post#: 12604--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team news v Leicester Lions
DIR By: Chris.Garbutt
Date: October 3, 2025, 8:48 am
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Very interesting. Some experiments in there in the back row.
Good rotation. Leicester will not be a pushover and will be
desperate for points to I would expect a good game out of them.
I still think we bring home the 5 and keep rumbling on.
5 points would be great to go into the game against Rosslyn Park
who are on a vicious run of Blackheath Away (last week), Albion
Home (this week) and Roth away...
#Post#: 12605--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team news v Leicester Lions
DIR By: Rothoik
Date: October 3, 2025, 9:48 am
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I think The Judds held Park out for quite a while, so they have
played a lot of the top contenders. I see Plymouth, Park, Club
and Judds as the big threats to us this season but any team can
beat any team in this league. Harvey himself said there have
been no easy games yet, despite the scores. We have to be on it
for the full 80. I am particularly interested to see how the new
scrum half goes (Scots U20s I understand).
#Post#: 12607--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team news v Leicester Lions
DIR By: setter
Date: October 3, 2025, 5:22 pm
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I believe both scrum halves in the squad are Scottish U20s?
Sinjin we saw last week and in the friendlies - seems to get the
ball out quicker than JB - but did get a kick charged down and
JB scored 2 tries from not getting it away but going over
himself.
Will be good to see Noah Cowan when he gets on.
#Post#: 12608--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team news v Leicester Lions
DIR By: Rothman2
Date: October 3, 2025, 8:33 pm
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17 of the 20 players in the squad for Leicester have already
featured this season in at least 1 or more league games.
That leaves just 3 players making their first appearance of the
season:
• James Norman
• Tom Bairstow
• Noah Cowan
#Post#: 12650--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team news v Leicester Lions
DIR By: IRGeech
Date: October 6, 2025, 6:42 am
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--- Quote from: setter link ---
>
> I believe both scrum halves in the squad are Scottish U20s?
Sinjin we saw last week and in the friendlies - seems to get the
ball out quicker than JB - but did get a kick charged down and
JB scored 2 tries from not getting it away but going over
himself.
>
> Will be good to see Noah Cowan when he gets on.
>
--- End Quote ---
How did he go?
#Post#: 12658--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team news v Leicester Lions
DIR By: Winger14
Date: October 7, 2025, 4:15 am
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In the match report it says that he came off the Bence in the
64th min, so a possible 16 min debut, but in that time he was
given a Yellow Card.
Certainly a 'Colourful' start to his time at the Titans, but not
a Glorious one.
#Post#: 12659--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team news v Leicester Lions
DIR By: IRGeech
Date: October 7, 2025, 4:34 am
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Yeah, attempted charge down gone wrong in the last minute I
think. Not the worst thing I suppose.
#Post#: 12660--------------------------------------------------
Re: Team news v Leicester Lions
DIR By: Rothman2
Date: October 7, 2025, 4:36 am
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What happened with Callum?
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