Titans give poor show in shock defeat

The Titans, beaten by three tries to one, face powerful Exeter on Saturday and the forwards must transform themselves to avoid another defeat.

After the optimism of the win against Pertemps Bees, Rotherham failed to deliver and coach Phil Werahiko may now be regretting his decision to play a new front row.

The line-out was chaotic and in the opening 20 minutes, possession was carelessly thrown away as five lineouts were lost, new hooker Kevin Corrigan suffering a nightmare.

Obviously, it’s going to take time for a new team to gel, but the pack, which seems small and lightweight, must get its act together sooner rather than later because on this evidence the aim of finishing in the top six is just not going to happen.

Trailing 12-0 at the interval, Rotherham then conceded a third try early in the second half to find themselves trailing 19-0.

The pack revived somewhat, and one of the heroes of last season, lock Louis McGowan, crashed over on 52 minutes to open the account. But the Liverpool lad’s try was all that Rotherham could manage.

“I’m very disappointed,” said Werahiko.” We had enough opportunities in the first half to put points on the board but lacked concentration.

“I was embarrassed when we were blown off our ball at a five metres’ scrum. Rotherham’s supporters are not used to seeing that.

“We improved when the forward replacements came on and I thought Barry Jacobsz made an impact.”

Werahiko’s time with his squad this week prior to the game at Exeter has assumed even greater importance after this defeat.