Esher director of rugby Mike Schmid has called for his side to show their character in Saturday's EDF National Trophy visit of Blaydon, writes Mark Bengotchea.

The former Canada international was furious after last weekend's disastrous 36-17 home defeat to Rotherham.

He admits home-and-away losses at the hands of his old club have ranked among Esher's worst displays in an otherwise impressive first season in National One.

And Schmid is demanding an immediate response in the fifth-round tie against Blaydon.

He said: "Collectively, we just did not perform against Rotherham.

"There were a lot of unforced errors, we missed a lot of first-up tackles and we just weren't as hungry as them.

"It is difficult to put a finger on why we were so bad.

"Our set-piece was poor and we were always under pressure. It was a bad day at the office."

The Titans had arrived in Surrey on the back of six successive league defeats that had seen them plummet down the National League One table.

But Schmid said: "I don't think we were complacent.

"We know that, on any given day, any side can beat any other in this division.

"I just hope it was a one-off performance and I will be looking for the boys to show their character against Blaydon."

Schmid expects to make several changes for the match with the National Two side from the north-east.

He is considering giving Ian Barnes a start at scrum-half and may hand fringe first-teamers a chance to stake a claim for a permanent place.

Schmid said: "I see the cup as an opportunity to give some guys a game to show what they can do.

"The second team had a good win at Newbury last weekend so some have earned a go in the first team.

"But whoever plays, I expect to see much more passion than we showed against Rotherham."

Esher will again have the services of on-loan London Irish lock Gary Johnson, who made his debut off the bench against Rotherham.

Skipper Duncan Cormack hopes to be back in action inside a fortnight after breaking a thumb seven weeks ago.