Into a 10th season at the club, interrupted by two horrific injuries, Covid and a personal climb from Level Seven to National One, the DoR could not hide his pride at the popular prop’s achievement.
He said: “It’s been very different to some of the other guys who’ve reached milestones in recent years – some have been very quick whereas for Ant it’s been systematic.
“He’s had injuries along the way, but he’s always come back and just developed and developed.
“He came here as a tight-head and had a game at Clifton which didn’t go too well – then Spike (Henderson) saw something of him as a loose-head, Kevin (Tkachuk) came in, Owen (Root) for the past years and he’s just learnt from them all.
“From Didcot to Wallingford to Rams, interest from the Championship because of what he’s become, and I couldn’t be happier for him – I just hope he doesn’t retire having got to 100 because I know what it means to him after the elbow injury last season!
“It might have been nicer to come at home, but in some ways it’s fitting it might come in the rain at Leeds where you’ve got to role your sleeves up. It is just the game for him.”
‘Leeds have been unlucky so far’
Tomorrow’s trip is a third straight away-day up north with Rams having won on the final play at Sedgley Park before going down at Sale FC, and Seb is expecting another difficult day despite National Two champions Tykes having lost their four games so far.
He explained: “They’re a good side; promotion winners and you can see it in their play.
“They’ve been unlucky so far, put some good attacking stuff out and looked a threat, they’ve got a decent set-piece, defensively look strong and we won’t be taking them lightly.”
And with Storm Amy circling, he continued: “We’ve got a relatively fledgling squad, but a talented group and hopefully they’ve taken on board what we learnt from the Sale game.
“Whatever weather presents itself, rugby is a winter sport and we must deal with it – in recent years we’ve been a decent side whatever the conditions and we’ll aim to execute whatever the correct gameplan is at the weekend.”
First start for Breese as Bicknell and Tull return
Rams make five changes to the starting line-up which beat Tonbridge Juddians 40-19 last Saturday, Andrew Lamb returning at full-back as the sole alteration in the three-quarters.
The others come in the pack as George Breese makes a first start of the season alongside Marris in the front row, Willo Bicknell moving into the engine room and Aaron Tull in at blind-side.
Finishing on the forward swaps, Seb said: “Breesey has been fantastic since he’s come in – he’s an old head on young shoulders.
“He’s got a lot to learn, but he’s doing so quickly, is strong and there’s so much scope for him to kick on.
“So far this level has been water off a duck’s back to Willo, he’s just stepped up to it – we wanted to get him back in the squad and we think he’ll do a fine job in the second row, while Aaron’s been superb since joining the club.
“He was unlucky to get the head knock at Sedgley, but he’s recovered well and is ready to go.”
