SATURDAY’S top-of-the-table clash against Cambridge will be ‘a massive challenge’ for Taunton Titans, but one they are relishing, according to their coaching team.

Titans battled to a 34-24 bonus-point win at Bury St Edmunds last weekend (see p119), after 520-mile round trip, and will put their unbeaten home record for the 2015-2016 season under intense scrutiny when they welcome the league leaders to Hyde Park.

Head coach, Tony Yapp is expecting a ‘brutal and quality game of rugby’ but backing his side to come up trumps on the big occasion.

He said: “Saturday was another step in the right direction - after leaving at 6.45am and getting on the bus it was a long trip up to Bury Saint Edmunds.

“Things couldn't have started any worse for us as we went 14 nil down after just six minutes, but once we got hold of the ball we were able to go through lots of phases and get ourselves back into the game.

“To win away from home in any game takes a 20- man effort and I must say the impact from the bench on Saturday was excellent and as good as it's been all season, the boys really added an energy when they came on which allowed us to move through the gears in the second half.

“This is a game we may have lost in the past so it's great to see the development of the players and the team who showed great composure under pressure to come away with a five points on the road.

“This week is a huge game for us against high-flying Cambridge - I would like to ask if you have any free time on Saturday afternoon get yourself down to Hyde Park and get behind the boys in what is sure to be a brutal and quality game of rugby.”

Forwards coach, Chris Brown said: “We have a massive challenge against Cambridge next week.

“If we put together our best game, I am confident we can do some damage.

“The boys are keen for it and we relish the chance to show Cambridge how good we can be, following our most disappointing display of the season in October.”

In their last meeting the Titans were well beaten 32-19, with Cambridge running in five tries to three and Titans putting in one of their worst performances of the season.

This weekend, they will have to make do with a depleted back line, with both Toby East and Jack Claydon nursing leg injuries, Tom Popham still recovering from the knock he took in the first league game of the season, Aron Struminski suffering a pectoral tear in the last home game against Southend and fly half Joe Simmonds away with England U20’s.