Despite going down 47-33 at home in a game where both teams scored five tries and the in-form visitors were forced to make many more tackles than Rams, Seb believes things can turn as he looks for a return to winning ways.
He explained: “There was some very good stuff last week and we were gutted to lose in front of another fantastic crowd of almost 1,000.
“We’re taking positives from the game because some of our attacking play was excellent, especially near their goal-line, and the maul seemed to be getting back to where it was earlier in the season.
“Rugby is a game to be enjoyed, and it’s a very short part of your life that you play. Despite the results and especially last week and in training, I’ve seen a spark, an energy and happiness in the group, which is great.
‘We’ll keep fighting’
“Our values haven’t changed and we’re constantly putting the effort in. We’ll keep fighting and you never know what can happen – leads can diminish quickly and while Richmond and Rotherham are deservedly at the top, the pressure is now completely on them and the top five have all got to play each other. There’s still plenty of battles remaining.”
The first of those takes place against a Tigers team who earned a fabulous win at Blackheath last time out, with Rams wary of prolific points-scorer Warren Seals after an indisciplined Plymouth performance in which they conceded 18 penalties along with a handful of free-kicks.
The DoR continued: “Sedgley are a good team who play some top rugby and they’re coming off the back of a fantastic win.
“When they came to us earlier in the season they had a couple of front row injuries to deal with, but they still gave a good account of themselves and were a threat throughout, so we know it’s going to be difficult.
“Discipline has been something we’ve worked on this week with the direct link to the fact we don’t want to let a very accomplished National One player have an afternoon where he’s just nudging over three points the whole time – if you give him the opportunity he’ll do it all day.”
Vooght and McRae return
Rams make six changes to the starting line-up with Tom Vooght and James McRae slotting into the back row, Joe Pannese and Andrew Lamb returning to the three-quarters and prop Nick Barry and Royal Air Force scrum-half set for first starts.
Bath loanee prop Scott Kirk, a Six Nations winner with England Under 20s last season, is also set for a debut from the bench following Ant Marris’ season-ending elbow injury last week*.
Commenting on Boxhall and Kirk, Seb said: “Sam’s a very mature guy whose been around the National Leagues, played for the RAF, played in Australia and so he’s got good experience.
“He’s got a super pass, adds tempo and front foot ball to the attack, and he’s got good game management as well. We’re very excited to see how he goes.
“Scott’s got a very good set-piece, but he’s also a very dynamic player – he moves well and you’d 100 per cent describe him as one of the new modern-day props.
“He’s a powerful ball carrier and also a lovely lad whose been excellent in training, and he’ll come on with James (Baker) which is a great thing as a young prop.”
