By Roth Admin
January 17 2004

On Sunday at 3pm, Rotherham Titans entertain Gran Rugby of Parma in the 1st round 2nd leg of the Parker Pen Shield. Titans trail by eight points from the 1st leg in Italy. They will see this tie as a perfect opportunity to register their 1st victory of the season. Steph Nel has made three changes from the team that started in Parma. Phil Jones comes in at inside centre for Mike Umaga, Colin Noon returns at tight head for John Rawson and arguably the most improved player of the season Luke Gross, replaces young Jonathan Pendlebury in the second row.

Gran Rugby’s General Manager Francesco Cavatorti spoke exclusively to this site and stated that he was pleasantly surprised with his team’s victory. He thinks the return leg could go either way. When asked what he thought of Rotherham’s performance he replied that he was surprised, particularly at the line out and in the scrum, he thought Rotherham would have been more competitive.

All at Rotherham are confident that they can overcome the 8-point deficit and progress into the ¼ Finals, but know they have to step up their performance from last week’s effort.

It will be interesting the see what the attendance will be tomorrow on the back of the last home game against Bath, with the revised official attendance announcing just fewer than 7,000 present. With the game delicately balanced and reduced priced tickets on offer, Rotherham will be hoping for a good turn out.

Rotherham team to face Gran Rugby:
Stortoni, Ewens, Pritchard, Jones, Wood, Benson, Rauluni (C), Lloyd, Johnson, Noon, Kenworthy, Gross, Greeff, Short, Lewis.

Replacements:
Bunting, Rawson, Pendlebury, Rhodes, Strange, Umaga, Harrison.