Two more recruits join all-new Rotherham Titans

Ben Foley, 22, who can play on the wing or at full back and scrum half Matt Walsh, 24, join the club who have now brought in more than 20 recruits. Foley was signed after impressing Burnell during a two weeks’ trial.

Foley, who’s played for England Sevens and was recommended by Simon Amor, head of England Sevens, won’t be short of a friend at his new club. His brother, Charlie, another back, was also signed earlier this summer from Moseley.

“Ben has huge potential to become a vital member of our squad. He has a fantastic set of skills and as Ben is more than six foot tall, he has the presence we need. He’s played in the Championship for Plymouth, so he knows the standard we’re competing against. Ben is a genuinely exciting player,” says Burnell.

Walsh’s league experience has been restricted to National One with Darlington Mowden Park. “We’ve been looking for another number nine and we saw Matt when he played in a Sevens tournament. I was delighted with what we watched, so we’ve now three exciting, young scrum halves in Walsh, Matt Dudman and George Tresidder” said Burnell.

Foley and Walsh arrive at Titans as they launch a Sevens side, but with the recruits able, too, to perform in league rugby, Burnell is adding to the quality of his squad and increasing competition.

Burnell now has more than 30 players on Rotherham’s books who, on paper, seem more than capable of finishing far higher in the Championship next season than last when the Titans ended a disappointing campaign in 10th place, with only Ealing Trailfinders and relegated Moseley below them.

Rotherham who have been back training for three weeks had this week off, but resume on Monday.