Lee Blackett, who spent six years at Leeds Carnegie, has rejoined fellow Championship side Rotherham, where he used to be club captain.

The 29-year-old previously made 53 appearances for the Titans, scoring 11 tries, a conversion and a drop goal.

Blackett, who scored the Premiership’s fastest try in eight seconds against Newcastle in March 2008, made his debut for Rotherham in January 2004 against then top-of-the-table Bath in the Premiership at Millmoor in front of 6,195 spectators.

Originally a product of Rotherham Academy, Blackett went on to captain the side, despite being just 23.

He has gained representative honours with England Universities and Students in 2004 and England Counties in 2005, when he went on a tour of South America.

Blackett is genuinely pleased to be returning to the club where it all started for him, and said: “I’ve said all along that I would love to come back to Rotherham and I’m delighted that the opportunity has arisen to enable me to do just that.

"Obviously I know what Andre (Bester) brings, having worked with him during my first spell with the club and I know his style and it was an easy decision to make to come back to Rotherham.

“Rotherham was where it all started for me - the club gave me a lot. I came through the Academy here when the club was in the Premiership.

"They gave me the opportunity of first-team rugby and I went on to play Premiership rugby week in and week out.

“It’s something I feel I owe the club, but more than that I just love the place and it’s somewhere where I wanted to come back to at some point in my career.

"I think the major thing for me wanting to come back is looking at the squad that Andre has assembled.

"I think, without a shadow of doubt, it’s the best squad I’ve seen here since the Premiership days and I think it’s a great opportunity to do something special here this year.”

Blackett explained where he may fit in and how some of his qualities may bring benefit to the group.

He said: “I’ve always thought my best position is in the middle, although I have played a lot of rugby on the wing.

"Having spoken to Andre, I would anticipate playing the majority of my rugby here in the centres.

“Andre has spoken about my leadership qualities and I’d like to bring that aspect of my game to the party and I think he wants a leader in the middle, and hopefully that’s me.

"There are also other leaders in the back line and obviously Garry (Law) stands out as one of those players and he’s also very experienced.

"I think without doubt Garry was one of the stand-out players in the Championship last season.”

Blackett went on to talk about the change in structure of the Championship and the benefits of playing at Clifton Lane.

He said: “The change in structure this season with only the top four going on into the play-offs shouldn’t cause us too much concern because I believe the quality of squad that Andre is assembling is certainly good enough to achieve a top-four spot.

"In fact, I would be pretty disappointed if we didn’t hit that mark to be honest, although we know it won’t be easy as there are a number of very good sides in the division.

“I think our home form will be important and we must make Clifton Lane a real fortress - as it has been. I know coming here, even though I enjoyed playing here, everyone else in the squad was down and saying, “Oh no we’re playing at Rotherham.” because they didn’t like coming here.

“They seemed to have this perception that it’s a dump. Some people may feel it is a dump, but it’s our dump and that’s the kind of mentality we need to have.

"I know every player who plays for the club love playing here at Clifton Lane - there’s just something very special about the place.

"How the crowd seem to be on top of you and they seem to affect the decisions you get. It’s a great thing to have on your side and, as I’ve said, I’m really happy to be back here.”