The Director of Rugby believes his side can build on the ‘green shoots of recovery’ seen in last Saturday’s high-scoring 39-33 defeat at Blackheath, a reverse which saw the visitors match their opponents’ tally of five tries in an enterprising contest.

Titans were the side who snapped Rams’ perfect 10 wins to the season back in November, and while Seb acknowledged the substantial task in front of his side, he hopes their recent back-to-basics approach can pay dividends.

He explained: “Rotherham have got a stacked squad and have shown their quality throughout the season – a well put together side who do the simple things very well and take their opportunities.

“They’ve got a good kick-chase, strong set-piece, a fine defensive shape and you can see exactly why they’re battling for the title.

“When we came up in 2019/20 we brought the winning mentality and it does become a habit. It’s something which has stood them in good stead, and they’ve managed to continue the roll.

“But the focus is on ourselves, what we do well and on what we’re working on, and then how to put that on the park.”

He continued: “During this tough run people keep asking how the squad is, ‘are they ok?’ and I can honestly say they’re fine.

“We know where we’d have liked to have been this year – we’d have loved this to be a promotion game – but it’s not gone that way and it’s been a transitional season.

“Yet the players are fighting every week, and I can’t fault the effort – if I saw they’d given up I’d have a go at them – but they’ve got a great attitude and are ready to go again.”

Rams make five changes to the starting line-up with props Scott Kirk and James Baker stepping up in the front row, Robbie Stapley and Ben Atkins also back the pack and Solodrau Radianirova returning from Army duty in midfield.

Explaining a trio of the changes, the head coach said: “Scott is a quality young man, as all four guys who’ve come in from Bath have been, and he’s very good around the park and in the set-piece.

“We’re excited to give him a first start, while incredibly, James has become an even better player this season.

“Lots of people have said what fantastic shape he’s in, and he truly looks after himself. He does a lot of work alone in the gym, but he just gets on with it.

“It’s a pleasure to work with him from the coaching perspective as well and I’m in awe of his relentless pursuit for excellence in his craft.

“And to be able to bring another of the club’s all-time greats in Robbie back in during his birthday week is also brilliant.”

With just two games of a home campaign in which Rams have won eight of their 11 fixtures at OBR, Seb ended by praising the phenomenal support – second only to Plymouth Albion across the National Leagues with an average attendance of 984.

He closed: “There were green shoots of recovery at Blackheath and now we want to put on a good show for all the supporters who deserve it. They continue to be sensational and I ask them for two more final pushes.”

Discounted tickets (£16 for adults until midnight) and parking for tomorrow’s game can be bought here