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Duel of defences to decide derby clash
Rotherham Titans and Doncaster Knights clash tomorrow at Clifton Lane and the outcome of this Championship derby will be decided by the side with the better defence.
In the 10 league games so far, Doncaster, the in-form team in the Championship with four consecutive wins after a shocking start to their campaign, have the stronger defensive record.
The Castle Park side have conceded 19 tries whereas the Titans have let in 33, suggesting that Doncaster's pack, who protect their line so effectively, will be hard to overcome at Clifton Lane.
Knights centres Bevon Armitage and Hudson Tonga'uiha are also formidable tacklers.
Given Rotherham's disappointing tryscoring record, the home side coulld find it hard to smash Doncaster's backline.
Both sides have scoring potential, but it has not been seen so far. Doncaster have scored 19 tries, which is only three better than Rotherham's efforts.
Improving the attack has been one of the priorities new assistant coach Kevin Maggs has been focusing on in training this week.
As an international centre with 70 caps for Ireland, Maggs is perfectly placed to offer the best advice to Rotherham's backs.
Their tackling needs to be top class tomorrow if Doncaster backs such as Dougie Flockhart and Chris Briers, a Rotherham player last season, are to be contained.
Doncaster's forwards, especially the second-row pairing of Glen Townson and Bryn Griffiths, are expert performers in the lineout, an area which has been a Rotherham weakness.
The Titans pack and the team's chances of a much-needed victory have suffered a big blow following the confirmation that an ankle injury to hooker Ross Batty will prevent their best forward from playing.
His place at hooker is taken by Nigel Conroy and the Irish forward's replacement at prop is Colin Quigley.
The other change in the Rotherham pack sees Andy Barnes coming in for Adam Kleeberger.
The outcome of what should be a close contest could be decided by the teams' goal-kicking fly-halves, Jonny West, playing on his own patch, and Ali Warnock.
What do you think? Add your comments below.
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light snow
Temperature: -6 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
