Salmon leaps to defence of troubled Titans

After losing three consecutive games, the priority of Rotherham Titans’ coach Mark Jones is clear: to make sure the team win on Saturday in the return match against Moseley at Clifton Lane in the British and Irish Cup.
Toby SalmonToby Salmon
Toby Salmon

One of the few highlights in the first leg at Birmingham was the display of Toby Salmon in the second row as the 22-year-old forward, in his first season at Rotherham, started a match for only the third time since signing in the summer. Weighing 18 stone and six feet six inches tall, Salmon has all the physical qualities needed to make a success of his career which began at North Walsham in Norfolk and has then taken him to Winchester, Basingstoke, Chinnor in Oxfordshire, London Irish and Christchurch in New Zealand.

“We have reached the half way point in the season and it is so important that we start winning” said Salmon. “It is frustrating to lose when the squad work so hard. There can be no faulting our efforts and we are motivated to win for our coaches who have stressed how essential it is to turn the game around in the second match against Moseley.

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“At training, the emphasis has been on doing things correctly and developing consistency in our performances which have been disappointing recently. We are a lot better than that. We are confident we can improve and know what we need to do. Mark Jones and Steve Salvin, our coaches, are passionate about the club and equally passionate about the team winning.”

Salmon, on loan to Darlington Mowden Park earlier in the season, made his Championship debut at London Scottish where Rotherham lost in unfortunate circumstances earlier this month. “It was a fantastic feeling to go from being a player on-loan to a player being given the opportunity to play in the Championship. It was great to know that you had the trust of the coaches. The Championship is very physical. I was pleased with the way I contributed at Moseley. I put in some good tackles and carried the ball pretty well, but I know I have stuff to work on. One of the reasons why I came to Rotherham was that I played with Alfie To’oala at Chinnor.”

Alfie was popular at Rotherham and “he put in a good word” said Salmon.

“In fact, one of the many positive things about being at the Titans is that I know centre Jack Hayes who also played at Chinnor.

“My ambition is to play at the highest level I can and to prove to Rotherham that I am a Championship player.”