Round 15 Preview: Richmond vs Taunton Titans

Though it was a few weeks ago, Taunton Titans go into the New Year reinvigorated and with renewed belief following a courageous and skilful home derby victory over Plymouth Albion ahead of Christmas. In some ways it is a pity that, for the second time this season, a break in the fixture list followed a Titans win but for Tony Yapp’s players as they run out at Richmond this Saturday there will be a feeling of confidence having seen off the division’s third-placed team,29-24. Plymouth still lie behind only the Thames Valley pairing of Chinnor and Rams who had a derby of their own in which Chinnor gave their home fans an early Christmas present with a 21-7 win to leapfrog Rams to top spot.

Titans still sit in 13^th place but the gap to the promised land where National League One status is preserved has been narrowed somewhat with Cinderford now only two places and two points higher up the ladder in the crucial safety spot. As if to demonstrate the strength of the division, bottom side Leicester Lions also recorded a win ahead of the festive season, overcoming Cinderford 25-20.Sale FC travelled to Darlington Mowden Park where the home side won 29-19,leaving the Cheshire men level on points (26) with Titans but ahead on points difference. Bishop’s Stortford hosted Blackheath but lost by 14-18 and Sedgley Park sneaked home 32-26 at home against Birmingham Moseley. This weekend’s opponents, Richmond, made the short journey across South London to Rosslyn Park and emerged triumphant 18-22 in another derby day fixture. That leaves them in8^th position but only 10 points ahead of Titans whose 14 bonus points reflects both their ability to score tries and to finish just on the wrong side of the ledger (or to have close matches depending on whether your glass is half empty or half full).  

This Saturday Titans head up to town to face Richmond. The former Premiership side has had a match hit-out, making up their postponed fixture away at Birmingham-Moseley. Although they narrowly lost 31-29 to the Midlanders, they will no doubt feel the benefit of a post-Christmas encounter in their legs.

Now in 7^thplace in the table, the side from the Athletic Ground, was relegated into National League One for this season. Formed in 1861, Richmond is the second oldest rugby club and in 1864 played the first ever inter-club match, against fellow National One side Blackheath. The Athletic Ground has been their home since 1889 and has hosted innumerable historic encounters including one against the first touring New Zealand side in 1905.

They boast an impressive roll of honour with Jeff Probyn, Ben Clarke and Dan Luger just a few of the many England Test players to have worn the famous yellow, red and black shirt. The Quinnell brothers, Craig and Scott, legendary Argentine scrum-half Agustin Pichot and South African powerhouse Bobby Skinstad are amongst the international players to have represented Richmond FC in the professional era.

Now coached by Rob Powell, a Yorkshireman whose previous coaching experience includes London Broncos and the Lebanese international rugby league teams, Richmond FC. They boast a Smith and Jones half back pairing with Luc Jones earning plenty of plaudits at scrum half and Tom Smith the principal goal kicker outside him. Henry Cheeseman, the former Harlequins centre, was on try-scoring form at Moseley last weekend.

There have been five previous fixtures between the two clubs this century. The first was won by Titans at the Athletic Ground with a try at the death by number 8 Nick Burnett. The other three were all won by Richmond. Interestingly, across the quartet of games prior to this season, all the Taunton penalty goals and conversions were kicked by current members of the Taunton coaching team, Gary Kingdom and Tony Yapp. In the most recent encounter, earlier this season at Veritas Park, the visiting Londoners wrapped up a 14-29 win.

Warriors concluded their 2023 with a 126-0 drubbing of Yatton. When Yatton’s coach mentioned after their game how young his side was, a proud John Wrelton was able to point out a plethora of 18, 19 and 20year-olds amongst his own Taunton charges. The Warriors secured an impressive away victory 10-27 against a strong Hornets side last weekend to start of 2024. This Saturday they host Weston-super-Mare 2^nd XV at Veritas Park.

Entrance at Richmond to The Athletic Ground is £18.00 per adult for ground entry if bought online in advance otherwise it is £20 on the day whilst Under 16s enjoy free entry. Parking is free of charge at the Athletic Ground. A three-course meal is available on a ticket which includes a grandstand seated ticket, digital programme and team sheet for £45. To book email admin@the-raa.co.uk or call 0208 940 0397. Kick-off is at3.00pm.