Rotherham Titans coach Lee Blackett has spoken of the club’s tough start to the season after the Greene King IPA Championship fixtures were published.
Rotherham, who have welcomed overseas signings, centre Juan Pablo Socino from Argentina and Australian fly half Dallan Murphy from Queensland, to pre-season training, are at Birmingham side Moseley on the opening day followed by a home match against newly promoted Ealing Trailfinders.
Blackett said: “We have a lot of respect for Moseley who are a physical side which keep going for 80 minutes. They will be a lot better than last season because their coach, Kevin Maggs,has recruited really well.
“ Moseley have pace and power and have brought in players with Championship experience and they have strong relationship with Northampton’s academy.
“We are not thinking of anything else other than the first game and we are certainly not predicting where we are going to finish.All our efforts now are concentrated on the Moseley. We know little about Ealing but we will know a lot more before we play them.
“We’ve been back for more than a week now, I can tell you that our skill levels will be a lot better than last season and our players will be fitter and quicker,too,†says Blackett.
A major new figure brought in at Titans is Head of strength and conditioning Josh Fletcher opn a full-time appointment.
Fletcher had been assisting with the coaching of the GB Men’s Water Polo team at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
He has been quick to make an impact because Blackett says Fletcher’s work so far has been exceptional.
As the new squad gels,Blackett is keen to strengthen the links between Rotherham’s players and the supporters.
“We have great supporters and I want the players to get closer to the fans. Fans and players should mix and have a drink after the game.â€
Rotherham, following the relegation of Doncaster, will have only two league contests with a Yorkshire club the games with Leeds in November and April.
Greene King IPA Championship 2013-14.Rotherham Titans fixtures (subject to confirmation).
September 14th:Moseley v Rotherham.
September 21st: Rotherham v Ealing Trailfinders.
September 28th: Moseley v Rotherham.
October 5th: Rotherham v London Welsh.
October 12th:British and Irish Cup.
October 19th:British and Irish Cup.
October 26th:London Scottish v Rotherham.
November 2nd: Rotherham v Jersey.
November 10th: Leeds Carnegie v Rotherham.
November 17th: Bristol v Rotherham.
November 23rd:Rotherham v Nottingham.
November 29th/30th: Plymouth v Rotherham.
December 7th:British and Irish Cup.
December 14th:British and Irish Cup.
December 21st:Rotherham v Bedford.
January 4th 2014: Rotherham v Cornish Pirates.
January 11th:British and Irish Cup.
January 18th:British and Irish Cup.
January 25th: Jersey v Rotherham.
February 1st: Rotherham v Moseley.
February 8th:London Welsh v Rotherham.
February 15th: Rotherham v London Scottish.
March 1st: Rotherham v Bristol.
March 7/8/9:Nottingham v Rotherham.
March 22nd:Rotherham v Plymouth.
March 28th:Bedford v Rotherham.
April 6th:Cornish Pirates v Rotherham.
April 18th: Rotherham v Leeds Carnegie.
April 25th: Ealing Trailfinders v Rotherham.
Greene King IPA Championship 2013-14.Rotherham Titans fixtures (subject to confirmation).
September 14th:Moseley v Rotherham.
September 21st: Rotherham v Ealing Trailfinders.
September 28th: Moseley v Rotherham.
October 5th: Rotherham v London Welsh.
October 12th:British and Irish Cup.
October 19th:British and Irish Cup.
October 26th:London Scottish v Rotherham.
November 2nd: Rotherham v Jersey.
November 10th: Leeds Carnegie v Rotherham.
November 17th: Bristol v Rotherham.
November 23rd:Rotherham v Nottingham.
November 29th/30th: Plymouth v Rotherham.
December 7th:British and Irish Cup.
December 14th:British and Irish Cup.
December 21st:Rotherham v Bedford.
January 4th 2014: Rotherham v Cornish Pirates.
January 11th:British and Irish Cup.
January 18th:British and Irish Cup.
January 25th: Jersey v Rotherham.
February 1st: Rotherham v Moseley.
February 8th:London Welsh v Rotherham.
February 15th: Rotherham v London Scottish.
March 1st: Rotherham v Bristol.
March 7/8/9:Nottingham v Rotherham.
March 22nd:Rotherham v Plymouth.
March 28th:Bedford v Rotherham.
April 6th:Cornish Pirates v Rotherham.
April 18th: Rotherham v Leeds Carnegie.
April 25th: Ealing Trailfinders v Rotherham.
Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/411226/We-ll-hit-back-O-Driscoll
Rotherham face tough start
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