TAUNTON Titans head coach Tony Yapp is backing his side to “stop the rot” when they welcome Old Redcliffians to the Commsplus Stadium on Saturday.

Saturday’s last-gasp defeat at Tonbridge Juddians was the Titans’ fifth reverse in six matches having started the season with nine straight wins.

Reflecting on the latest loss, Yapp said: “Of course it was disappointing, we wanted to go up there and win.

“However, I think you have to take into account various things, such as the travelling involved – we were on the coach at 6am in the morning and that takes more out the players than you might realise. There is no lack of effort there.

“We have also been missing key players. We were hoping Gary Kingdom would be back two weeks ago but he is still suffering from his hamstring injury, and he is key in terms of organisation as well as his kicking in tight games.

“We’ve also been without Dan Frost, who is on loan at the Cornish Pirates. We could have been selfish and held him back, but we want our players to push on and give them the opportunity to go as far as they can.

“He’s in their side for the game at Bristol [tonight], live on Sky, which is a fantastic experience for him.”

On Taunton's recent run as a whole, Yapp said: “Three of those five losses have been by a score and, of those that weren’t, Cinderford were the best team we’ve played this season and we started poorly against Henley.

“Momentum is key. When you are losing every game seems that bit trickier, but I wouldn’t say we’re low on confidence.

“We trained really well on Tuesday night and we are all eager to put it right on Saturday and end the year on a high - particularly as there is a bit of local edge to it, which adds a bit of spice."

Old Redcliffians make the short trip from Bristol sat third from bottom having won just once so far this season.

Both Frost and Kingdom remain absent until the New Year, when the Titans will be looking to rediscover the form which saw them top the table until the end of October.