West Country Wills Match Preview Round 26 Taunton Titans vs Loughborough Students

From the heat of pre-season through the mud, blood, sweat, rain and tears of winter to the recent spring warmth, the rugby season culminates this Saturday for Taunton Titans at Veritas Park. When the campaign began the declared goal was to bounce back to National League One at the first attempt but it soon became clear that it would be no cake walk and, though capable of beating any opposition on their day, Titans have been found wanting for consistency and, perhaps, for squad depth too. Two teams have opened up a gap over third-placed Taunton (the equivalent of four bonus point victories)and will both harbour hopes of promotion come the final whistle on Saturday. Only one of Camborne – who led the division for most of the season until beaten at Clifton in Round 24 – and Clifton themselves, who are top by three points, can take the single spot available in National One. Clifton begin as favourites and know that they will go up with a win or a bonus point high-scoring draw in their home game against Exeter University. The students take good form into this final fixture having beaten Cinderford 53-38 in Topsham in Round 25.Camborne must hope for a Clifton defeat and a win of their own (probably with a four-try bonus point) in Cheshire against Macclesfield, the furthest journey any team has to make in the whole season.

Only one team can prevent Taunton Titans securing the third-place finish that would represent a good season’s work and a spring board from which to push for a return to National League One in 2026. That team is Loughborough Students who happen to be the visitors to Taunton this Saturday and it will be an interesting fixture. The Leicestershire institution was the opening day opposition when the season began and, because the university rugby season had not yet begun, they were able to field their first-choice team against Titans – winning 33-3 – rather than the second string who represent Loughborough in the National League for most of the campaign. Ironically, having played the final of the elite university competition, BUCS Super League at Rodney Parade in Newport on Wednesday 16^th April, Loughborough could potentially bring their first team to Somerset.

Loughborough has been the country’s champion university more than any other institution. It is a mark of their strength in depth that they come to Veritas Park in fourth place, three points behind Titans. The roll call of alumni who have achieved international honours is lengthy. Loughborough University began playing rugby in 1919 and has produced many legends of the sport including Fran Cotton, Sir Clive Woodward, Ben Kay, Gerald Davies and Sarah Hunter. Many of their squad will be familiar to Titans’ pair of Loughborough graduates, Dan Martin and Reece Malone. The Ulstermen, both of whom are teaching in Somerset, are in red-hot form with Malone picking up man of the match for his brace of tries against Hinckley which was also his first ever game of rugby at scrum half, having only trained in the position twice previously.

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We are delighted to welcome Civil Solutions to Veritas Park on the weekend where they will be our match sponsor. Civil Solutions will be headed up by Nigel Drew who has been a long term supporter of TRFC.

This fixture is likely to be the last time that Louie Sinclair plays for Titans. Both he and his parent club Exeter Chiefs will want him to be playing at a higher level, wherever that may prove to be. All those who have seen his development over the last couple of seasons will surely agree that we have had terrific value from Louie at Taunton and, although he will be missed, we will watch his continued progress with pride.

Having threatened to hang up his boots on a couple of previous occasions, it sounds as though this is now the end of Sam Prior’s long and distinguished playing career, the (not inconsiderable) bulk of which has been with Taunton Titans. Prior to this weekend, ‘Turbo’ has racked up a mammoth 215 appearances for the club across 12 years with 36 tries. Along the way he has twice undergone surgery to remove tumours on the adrenal glands and been loaned to Exeter Chiefs to play at Sandy Park against Worcester Warriors. Could there have been a more stirring sight at Veritas Park than Sam getting up a full head of steam when returning a kick? I know that I, for one, would have got out of the way as sharply as possible. Now the player liaison representative on the club committee, it is hoped that Sam will remain a familiar and involved face at this rugby club where he is so cherished.

Kick-off for Titans against Loughborough Students at Veritas Park on Saturday is at 3.00pm. Entry is £15 for adults and free forUnder-16s. Parking at Veritas Park on Hyde Lane costs £5 and there will be free parking across the road in the overflow. The final two-course carvery lunch of the season will take place prior to kick-off. For any enquiries or to book please contact the club office on 01823 336363. For those turning up for kick-off, there will be hot pasties and coffees from the Proper Cornish pasty van and there will be three bars open.

Taunton resident and rugby lover, Richard Kitzinger writes content for Taunton RFC’s club website and match-day programmes. His day job is writing Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney - he can be found at www.westcountrywills.co.uk or reached on 07504 991893.

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