Rosslyn Park Preview

Three games to go in the National League One season for Taunton Titans and it’s shaping up to be a thrilling finale to the season. Following Esher’s single-point win at Hull last weekend, the Surrey side leapfrogged Titans – who went down at leaders Rams – out of the relegation spots. There will no doubt be more than one spectator at Veritas Park watching the boys against Rosslyn Park but glancing anxiously at their phones for updates on Esher’s home encounter with Bishop’s Stortford.

This Saturday’s visitors have hit the A303 from Roehampton in southwest London. 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 and currently sit in fourth place.

Taunton’s visit to Rosslyn Park earlier in the season was an experience they’d rather forget. After just three matches between the sides, the Londoners are becoming something of a bogey team for Titans. That December meeting resulted in a 52-0defeat for the county town side but the league situation, home advantage and a recent up turn in form must give Tony Yapp’s side confidence ahead of Saturday’s game.

Rosslyn Park Director of Sport, Kieran Power, and Head Coach, Jon Mills, have enviable resources available to them with no fewer than 18 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 last summer when work took him Londonwards.

The Match Sponsor for this fixture is Coleman plumbing and heating and the match ball is kindly sponsored by Cresco Management.

It promises to be a busy Saturday at Veritas Park with no further places available for the pre-match carvery lunch. The Titans will be hoping for a big West Country roar from the supporters.

Entrance to Veritas Park is £15 per adult. The fabulous two-course pre-match carvery lunch is sold out but the bars will be open and those with no carvery booking will be able to buy delicious pasties. Parking at Veritas Park on Hyde Lane is available and costs £5 per vehicle. Kick-off is at 3pm.

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