Preview Titans away at Rosslyn Park

Although the Titans were unable to register their first home victory of the season in Round 11, they produced arguably their finest performance to date by running league leaders Rams close. But for a couple of handling errors which ended excellent attacking opportunities and a few other dozy moments at the outset of the 24-27 reversal could indeed have panned out quite differently.

This Saturday takes Somerset’s finest on the road to Roehampton in southwest London where they face Rosslyn Park FC. One of club rugby’s grand old names, Rosslyn Park was founded in 1879 by club cricketers who played in the grounds of Rosslyn House in Hampstead. After playing at various London venues, in the 1950s they moved from Richmond’s Old Deer Park to The Rock in Priory Lane, Roehampton.

When professional rugby arrived, Rosslyn Park was in National League 2 but were champions in that first season and promoted to the English Premiership for season 1997-98. Their stay in the top flight lasted four seasons, since when they have played mostly in the second and third tiers of English rugby with their current tenure in National League One lasting eleven seasons. They have finished third in each of the last two editions.

When Taunton made their first league visit to Rosslyn Park last season they were dealt a heavy defeat, 68-21. Tony Yapp’s squad is probably more street-wise within the division than on that occasion but it will still require a big effort to bring back the chocolates from The Rock. Director of Sport, Kieran Power, and Head Coach, Jon Mills, have enviable resources available to them with no fewer than18 support staff listed on their books. Their playing squad includes several with Premiership experience, notably scrum-half Dave Lewis (Gloucester, Exeter and Harlequins) and former Quins wingers Charlie Walker and Sam Aspland-Robinson. One familiar face in their ranks is James Keay, the centre having switched to Rosslyn Park over the summer when work took him Londonwards.

Entrance to The Rock is £14.50 per adult whilst concessions and students are £12. A pre-match lunch is available for £46 which can be booked through the club website. Kick-off is at 3pm.

If you are nottravelling to watch the Titans then the 2nd XV The warriors are inaction at home Vs Old Redcliffians Old Reds are currently 11wins from 11 games and Taunton lie  in the table so this is se to be a big game for the 2nds. Kick-off is 14:30 here at Veritas Park.

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