Taunton RFC are delighted to announce the news the naming rights to their stadium have been acquired by Towergate Insurance and the ground will now be known as The Towergate Stadium, Hyde Park, writes Dick Macey.

Towergate are a national insurance company with an office on the Blackbrook Business Park and the Club look forward to a successful and winning partnership.

The Titans begin their National 2 (South) league programme this coming Saturday with a home game against Bournemouth RFC (kick off 3pm), who will be celebrating their return to the higher league having won promotion from National 3 (South West) last season.

Running parallel with this game will be an RFU “Zoo” league fixture between Taunton Warriors and Bournemouth 2nds.

The pre-season build-up for the Titans concluded with 53-38 victory over Ivybridge RFC last Saturday and the Warriors side, containing a number of senior colts, overcame a Bridgwater and Albion RFC 1st XV on the previous Thursday with an impressive 60-22 win.

Both games were played under full match conditions and gave evidence of some of the hard work that has been undertaken by the players and their coaches, Tony Yapp and Chris Brown, in their preparation.

It is now fingers and toes crossed time for the season ahead.

Before the season began last year this correspondent stuck his finger in the wind to forecast who the serious contenders for honours might be at season end.

I now realise that makes me a naïve hostage to fortune so this year I will point out that Henley are making promotion-desiring noises, as are Esher, and we know from past experience that Tonbridge Juddians will present a formidable challenge.

In addition there are unknown challenges presented by league newcomers Leicester Lions, Sutton & Epsom and Westcliff (formerly Southend).

This Saturday’s game will be preceded by a carvery lunch, as will the following week’s game, also at home against Redruth, and this provides a great opportunity to immerse yourselves in the match day experience.

A new venture this year also brings an outlet to the ground providing proper pasties and perfect pies ensuring all needs are catered for.