HOOKER James Owen believes Plymouth Albion can head to Rotherham this weekend in confident mood following their opening day Championship win against Birmingham-Solihull.

However, he also feels that Albion have to improve on last Saturday's performance if they are to record their first ever league win at Rotherham on Sunday.

Graham Dawe's side beat Birmingham 33-10, scoring four tries in the process to claim a bonus point.

But Owen admits the display was far from perfect and believes Albion will face a stiffer examination of their abilities at Clifton Lane.

"We were a little bit disappointed with a few soft mistakes at the start of the second half against Birmingham, which gave them some field position," said Owen.

"No disrespect to Birmingham, but I think against some of the better teams in the league, we might be punished a bit more.

"There are definitely improvements to be made.

"If we see that as our best performance, then we are going to be very disappointed and we will struggle this season in the league because it is going to be very, very tough.

"The other teams in this division have a lot of good, seasoned professionals and we have got to use the win over Birmingham as a launch platform.

"We got some tries, we got the win and a bonus point, so we can take some confidence into this weekend.

"But we want to build and we want to go forward and that is not going to be enough."

Owen, who played the full 80 minutes against Birmingham, added: "We haven't won up at Rotherham in the league, so we have to try and bust that.

"We have got to target these first two games and, with respect to Rotherham, we have got to go up there and give it everything.

"We nearly won up there last year and we have got to try and put that to bed this weekend.

"It will be a test for the team – there is no point running around with big smiles after last weekend's win because it is coming up again.

"We haven't got a happy hunting ground up at Rotherham and it will be tough because they are a tough bunch of nuggets.

"But we will go up there and give it everything we have got and, hopefully, that will be enough for us to come away with a win."

Last Saturday's win for Albion saw four of their summer signings make their first starts for the club.

Ben Mercer, Sione Tu'ipulotu, Tyler Hotson and Gary Kingdom all played their part in Plymouth's victory.

As did fellow debutants, Tom Skelding and James Waterhouse, who came on as second half replacements.

Fellow summer signings Joe Clark and Ruairi Cushion were unused replacements.

In total, Albion have added 12 new faces to the 21 first team squad players they kept from last season.

"We have got a great squad of players this season," said Owen.

"I know there is pressure on me as well as everybody else in the team.

"Joe Clark is an outstanding player, he is a fantastic athlete, a young lad who has got all the skills.

"I feel lucky to have the shirt this year and I am going to try my best to hang onto it.

"But I know Joe is breathing down my neck and everybody in the squad is competing for places.

"That is what we need because it just builds a buzz."

Owen added: "The thing which stood out for me last weekend was that after every score, everybody in the squad ran in and congratulated each other.

"The camaraderie is there among the players and it really paid off against Birmingham."

ALBION'S British and Irish Cup game at home to Leinster on November 21 will kick-off at 4.30pm.

The away cup clash against Scottish side Gael Force will now take place at Bridgehaugh, the home of Stirling County, on Friday, February 26 (7pm kick-off).