Match Preview: London Irish v Rotherham Titans

By Roth Admin
October 24 2003

Rotherham make three changes for the Irish game. Russell Earnshaw comes in for the injured Craig short at open side flank, James Cockle gets a start at No 8 and relegates the impressive Geraint Lewis to the bench and Joe Ewens comes in on the left wing for the injured David Strettle.

Rotherham go in to their seventh Zurich Premiership league game on Sunday away at London Irish, with the unenviable record of six straight defeats and not a single bonus point to show for their efforts.

In contrast Irish have won three and lost three, picking up the losing bonus point in two out of their three defeats. The one they missed out on was away to Leicester on the opening day of the season. Their victories came at home to Gloucester and Leeds and away at Northampton. In addition Irish are unbeaten at home so far this season.

On the surface of it, it may seem to some, that Rotherham’s task is almost an impossible one. But that may not be the case. Recently, Rotherham have started to make progress and if some of the recent errors can be eliminated, the game may well be closer than some of the experts imagine. It will also be interesting to see what effect the new South African coach Stefan Nel has had, in the short time that he has been involve with the squad. In addition many of Rotherham’s travelling support will be interested to see how the new “boy” Bernardo Stortoni adapts to the fast pace of the Premiership.

Prediction: Irish by 7.

Referee: Robin Goodliffe (England).