Timid Titans given 7-try thumping after Burnell’s exit

ROTHERHAM’S embarrassing defeat at Clifton Lane by seven tries to one stressed how huge is the rebuilding task facing new coach Andy Key.

The Titans sacked Justin Burnell earlier in the week after only four league wins in 18 games, and the weaknesses in the squad were clear as Nottingham thrashed the struggling Yorkshire side, especially in the second half when they scored five tries.

Rotherham’s supporters had every right to expect a fighting performance in the last home game of the season, but the team which is second from bottom almost gave up in the last 10 minutes.

Key, completing his duties at Leicester Lions before taking over full time, was fortunate to miss this horror show, but former coach Lee Blackett was present and the Wasps backs’ coach, who took Rotherham to consecutive promotion semi-finals, must so badly wrong since he left.

Nottingham, recovering from a poor run of form, led 12-7 at the interval following tries by winger Charlie Thacker and centre Oli Evans, and then increased the pressure.

Hooker Jimmy Stevens barged over twice on 58 and 63 minutes and then on 69,74 and 76 minutes, winger James Stephenson and replacements Rob Langley and George Worth broke through weak defending putting Nottingham beyond the 40 points mark.

Nottingham coach Ian Costello said: “I was delighted from the first minute and then we got the reward in the second half. We stuck to the game plan and I thought prop Harry Morley was fantastic. I also thought our half backs, Chris Eden and Darryl Veenendaal, were good. It’s been a disappointing period for us but we have stuck together as a group.”

At the very least, Rotherham should have been seriously competitive against opponents whose Championship form has also been poor with only five wins and 12 defeats prior to kick-off, but they scored only once, scrum-half George Tresidder fought his way over.

Titans forwards’ coach Steve Salvin said: “The nature of this week has knocked the stuffing out of us. We didn’t have any energy once they scored the first two tries in the second half.

“A lot of the players have a close relationship with Justin Burnell and they were disappointed at what happened.”