By Roth Admin
October 31 2003

Rotherham Titans go in to their 8th Zurich Premiership game of the season against Saracens on Saturday, still looking for their first points of the campaign. Both teams have been hit by injuries, however it will give the players coming in a chance to stake their claim for a regular spot in the side. Rotherham Titans have made five changes to the starting 15 that lost at London Irish last week and have also made a couple of positional changes. In the backs, the new Argentinean International signing, Bernardo Stortoni starts his first game at full back and Jon Benson moves from there to fly-half. Jason Strange who played fly half against the Irish last week drops to the bench. Phil Jones returns from injury and comes back in to the side at outside centre, with Peter Jorgensen also dropping to the bench. At scrum half, young Matt Rhodes makes his debut and comes in for the World Cup bound Jacob Rauluni.

In the forwards, Geraint Lewis starts at No.8, moving James Cockle to the blindside flank for the injured Leon Greef, while John Rawson makes his 1st start for the club at tighthead prop ahead of Simon Bunting, who has had a fine season so far.

Worth a mention, on the bench for the 1st time is young Rotherham lock forward Johnathan Pendlebury. Mike Schmid is not worried at the prospect of playing two youngsters with so little experience of the big time. Mike said, "We are happy to select 2 such outstanding youngsters for this game. There is no one on the Rugby Staff who does not have complete confidence in Matthew Rhodes. He has been a member of the 1st XV squad for the last 2 years and has already made a number of appearances as a replacement– and Johnathan Pendlebury is a player who is ready for it now.”