Preview Titans at home against Esher

Whilst Taunton’s trip to Cinderford at the weekend fell victim to a frozen pitch, this Saturday’s visitors to Veritas Park were involved in one of just three National League One games played. Esher’s game against Plymouth Albion went ahead and they registered a 34-24 victory. This has seen them climb even further away from the relegation spots they had occupied for so much of this season and means that Titans are now nine points short of safety.

It's safe to say then that Taunton Titans will be throwing everything at the Surrey side. In need of league points and a good win, Tony Yapp’s charges will want their home crowd to get right behind them and cheer them to victory. The week’s reprieve will have allowed the players some niggly injuries to settle and run out with their batteries recharged against an opposition, Esher, who have suddenly leapt from the relegation zone to 8^th place in the table in a few short weeks.

It’s a historic season for Esher as they celebrate their centenary in 2023. The club was formed when four rugby enthusiasts, enjoying a pint at the Wheatsheaf in Esher, decided to form a rugby club. To this day photos of Esher Rugby players are on display in the Wheatsheaf pub toilets.

Esher reached the heights of the Championship in 2010,setting a world record winning score of 148-0 against Manchester en route to promotion but only lasted two seasons in England’s second tier before dropping back down. They dropped even further into National Two but won the promotion play-off against Redruth last term to return to National League One.

When the two teams met in Surrey earlier this season the game see-sawed from one side to the other with former Exeter fly-half Sam Morley grabbing the opening try for Esher before Titans hit back, Toby East tuktukking his way over for a score which Jordan Gott converted. Morley again crossed the whitewash but Connor Banks, lining up at full back, replied for Taunton. Isaac Dalton and Jordan Petherbridge also registered tries and secured a valuable bonus point on the road for Titans in a 21-29 victory.

Esher are coached by Director of Rugby Peter Winterbottom. The legendary England and British and Irish Lions flanker is assisted by Head Coach Chris Wilkins, a former club captain of Esher who is also Head of Rugby at the highly successful Whitgift School. Whitgift alumnus, full back Sam M’Boge, has linked up once more with his former school coach, having played for Hong Kong Scottish since completing his studies at University of Exeter, during which time he appeared in the A League for Exeter Braves. They are captained from the second row by former Ireland U20 international Hugh Sloan who has also played in New Zealand for Mount Maunganui.

The match day sponsor is long term TRFC Supporter Steve Collard who has a great group joining him for the matchday under Commsplus Equipment Finance Ltd. We are also delighted to welcome back Nigel Drew who is the match ball sponsor with Civil Solutions.

Entrance to Veritas Park is £15 per adult. The fabulous two-course pre-match carvery lunch is not to be missed and can be booked by emailing functions@tauntonrfc.co.uk or by calling 01823 336363. Parking at Veritas Park on Hyde Lane is available and costs £5 per vehicle. Kick-off is at 3pm.

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