Taunton hope to snap up trio

2:35pm Tuesday 8th July 2008

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TAUNTON Rugby Club hope to convince three potential new arrivals that their future lies at Hyde Park on Thursday - but back-row forward Vince Morrell has turned his back on a move at the 11th hour.

Director of rugby Lee Waddon did not want to name the three players for fear of alerting other clubs but they are all from Devon or Cornwall - two from National One level and one from National Two.

They have all agreed personal terms in principle and are due to attend a players' meeting on Thursday, when new coach Dave Sims will meet all the squad and discuss his plans for the upcoming campaign.

Waddon said: "They're coming with a view to signing. They've never been here before so it will be a chance to sell the facilities - and the facilities here are very good.

"I'm sure they've got other offers on the table but they're fully aware pre-season is upon us and we'd like to get things sorted as soon as possible."

Taunton thought they had wrapped up the signature of Morrell at the same time as hooker Matt Hastie arrived from Bridgwater and Albion and scrum-half Nick Williams joined from Blaydon.

But the Gloucestershire player has angered Waddon by instead opting for South-West One side Clifton, which is nearer his Bristol home.

Waddon said former Dings Crusaders forward Morrell "backed out at the 11th hour chasing pounds, shillings and pence".

He said: "He came down to meet us and we shook hands and agreed everything.

"The forms were in the post but at the 11th hour he didn't quite get his in the post.

"The last thing we wanted was to get involved in a Dutch auction so we left it at that."

Taunton return to pre-season training next Tuesday and Waddon said: "The good thing with a new coach is the existing players and those on the fringes will all have a chance to impress the new man. It's an open slate.

"Everyone will have the same opportunity. There's no place for reputations."