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Buckley back to boost the tackle count
Rotherham Titans' side to play high-flying Bedford at Clifton Lane tomorrow will show several changes to the team which failed badly at Nottingham a week ago.
Coach Craig West, who has watched his team slide to third from bottom in the Champion-ship table, remains convinced that Rotherham are a far better side than their lowly league position suggests.
His optimism will be severely tested tomorrow and then next weekend when the Titans take on leaders Exeter Chiefs who have won six out of six matches so far.
"I am sure we are good enough to beat Bedford at home if we are fully committed," West said.
"The number of mistakes we made at Nottingham was unacceptable, as was the number of missed tackles, which led to five tries by them.
"What we have to do is to make sure we get the ball to the ball-carriers and then we can go forward."
Rotherham's detailed analysis of the blunders made at Meadow Lane, where Notting-ham scored more than 40 unanswered points, has shown up the errors made in defence, and the response by the players has been thoroughly professional in training during the week.
West won't announce his squad until later today, but one of the changes should see the return from injury of Kiwi centre Nick Buckley whose sharp and bruising tackling was badly missed last Friday.
However, forward Andy Barnes, who hurt his ankle before kick-off, will not be playing.
What's been noticeable this season in the first six Championship matches is a lack of leadership in Rother-ham's backline.
The retirement of Kevin Maggs, the former Ireland, Bath and Bristol centre, who played for the Titans in several games towards the end of last season, has been a huge blow.
However, there is speculation that Maggs, still living in Bristol, may come back to Clifton Lane.
He and West talk regularly, Maggs enjoyed his brief period with the club and the former Irish star, capped more than 70 times, may be persuaded to return.
A player of his significance is urgently needed to assist West.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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