Preview Titans vs Leicester Lions

Titans are back at home this Saturday at Veritas Park after a trip to Bishop’s Stortford where they kept in close touch with the Hertfordshire side but ultimately couldn’t get the job done. The 38-29 defeat at least earned Taunton a four-try bonus point but it has enabled the side above them to open up a seven-point gap in the table. This week’s visitors, Leicester Lions, arrive in Somerset at the bottom of National League One, having incurred a home loss 23-32 to Rosslyn Park last time out. The other side with Titans in the bottom three is Sale FC who now have their squad back together following the Premiership Cup and who inflicted a 29-17 defeat on Rams.

Rams, having lost three consecutive games, now drop to second on the table. They have been supplanted at the top by Plymouth Albion who won a tight game at Chinnor by17-22. Chinnor remain in third place, ahead of Sedgley Park who lost in the North-East to Darlington Mowden Park, 25-18. Elsewhere, Cinderford were beaten14-34 at home by Birmingham Moseley who move into fifth spot and Blackheath and Richmond had a close affair in London with Blackheath prevailing by 21-17.

This Saturday will bring the first National League One meeting between Titans and Leicester Lions. The Lions are fresh arrivals in the division, having been promoted as winners of last season’s National League Two West. Founded as recently as 1998 when two local clubs merged, this is the closest the Lions have been in the league structure to their city neighbours, Leicester Tigers.

For a young club, Leicester Lions can boast quite a line-up of alumni. World Cup winning England captain Martin Johnson and England internationals Louis Deacon and Billy Twelvetrees have all worn the club’s purple strip. They are now coached by Gareth Collins who made in excess of 200appearances for the club and is a former Lions captain.

There is the potential for both sides to name Dan Martin at inside centre with the Lions version being a former captain of the Leicestershire side with over 100 caps for the club to his name.  

This Saturday the Taunton Warriors play their last game of the month. Like the Titans they also face up to some big cats, but rather than the Leicester Tigers, they face a trip away to Huish Tigers on the other side of Taunton.

The Match is kindly sponsored by Gibbs plumbing Supplies Ltd and the Match Ball is sponsored by Cooper Associates group. We look forward to welcoming both groups along with their guests.

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Kick-off for Titans vs Leicester Lions at Veritas Park is at3pm. Entry is £15 for adults and free for Under-16s. Parking at Veritas Park on Hyde Lane costs £5 with free parking in the overflow car park across the road. Booking is essential for the exceptional two-course pre-match carvery, the envy of the National League and still, incredibly, just £20 per head. To book please contact the club office on 01823 336363. There will also be delicious hot pasties and coffees from the Proper Cornish pasty van and three bars will be 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.ukor reached on 07504 991893