THERE'S a feast of rugby at Hyde Park today when Taunton are in action in both the National league and Somerset cup.
The action kicks off at 3pm when Titans entertain Lydney in National league 2 (South).
This will be followed at 5.30pm by the cup game when Taunton take on Weston Hornets.
After losing three matches on the trot, Titans will be looking to bounce back to winning ways.
On their last appearance at Hyde Park, Taunton lost their long-standing home record to second-placed Dorking.
They have also lost away to unbeaten league leaders Henley while last Saturday they were edged out 30-26 at fourth placed Chinnor.
Taunton still find themselves in third place having picked up four bonus points in the three games – but it could have been so much more.
In each of the games the Titans led going into half-time but had that lead taken away by the final whistle.
So as Lydney make their way south to the Titans will be looking to start a new unbeaten record.
The previous record stood for 18 months with the last defeat on home soil coming against Southend on May 4, 2013.
The 2012-2013 season was the last time Taunton played Lydney as they were relegated.
But Lydney managed to bounce straight back up to National 2 and have already beaten Canterbury and Worthing as well as Chinnor.
So it will be another tough test for the Titans who will be hoping for some of the injuries make a welcome return.
However they do know they will be without the likes of Jake Woolmore for at least one more week and Matt Tichias for a couple.
Also missing from the Titans is back row Ben King who was helped off during the Dings Crusaders game.
After having a scan on his knee he has been advised that he has damaged his cartilage and two ligaments and will be out for nine to 12 months.
Titans team manager Keith Brooking said: “This is a big blow to the Titans and to him personally as he was looking to get into the England University squad.”
As well as the Titans home league game, a Taunton XV made up of fringe Titans players, 2nd XV players and players coming back from injury take on Weston Hornets in the first round of the Somerset cup with a kick off of 5.30 pm.
This will be a huge test for the Taunton club as a whole, playing two games back-to- back against good opposition.
Hornets should be favourites for the cup game as they are flying high in National 3 (South West), one below the Titans, while the majority of the Taunton XV ply their trade in the Somerset Premier, three divisions lower.
The Hornets will be boasting a couple of familiar faces within their ranks in the guise of player-coach Alex Chase and prop Sonny Haines who will be looking to make a successful return.
Saturday will also give some of the Taunton 2nd XV and the fringe players the chance to put a case forward to coaches Tony Yapp and Chris Brown for more of a role in the Titans match day squad.
Brooking added: “With the 2nds winning 95-5 last weekend against bottom side Imperial, there are obviously some good players within the team who want to go further.
“This will hopefully lend itself to a cracking cup tie. Both teams will be without the pressure of league rugby but will have points to prove.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here