TAUNTON Titans begin their bid for National 2 South honours at the Commsplus Stadium on Saturday, with Worthing the visitors for a 3pm kick-off.

Head coach Tony Yapp is pleased with what he’s seen in pre-season, and is excited for the new season with a bulked-up squad.

The Titans have played pre-season friendly matches against Exeter University, Camborne and Cardiff Met – the latter being a back-to-back fixture where Taunton Warriors met Cardiff’s 2nd XV, before the first teams did battle.

Yapp told the County Gazette: “I’m really pleased with how it’s gone.

“We have a few new players, but it’s also important that a lot of the older players have come back in good shape, and with a good attitude to keep their places.”

Three of the returning players have come back from New Zealand - Connor Baker, Isaac Dalton and Nick Mason - having departed Somerset in April to play for Carterton.

Somerset County Gazette:

TRIO: Isaac Dalton, Nick Mason and Connor Baker are all back from a stint in New Zealand.

Yapp believes the trio have gained in life experience as much as rugby skill, helping to mature them as members of the squad.

They are now joined by Jarred Haylor (an experienced back-rower), Sam Williams (a front-rower from North Petherton) and Sonny Haines, who returns to Taunton after playing for Weston Hornets, with another high-profile signing expected to arrive soon.

Scrum-half Jordan Petherbridge has also come in, but he was injured against Cardiff Met and is expected to miss the next three to four months.

Following Saturday’s match with Worthing, the Titans face two big rivals – Redruth and Clifton – which makes for an enticing start to the season for the team and their fans.

Yapp said: “It’s exciting; everyone’s a little edgy, but the players have worked harder than I’ve ever seen them.

“I would say we’re in the right place, I’m pleased with our preparations, but you don’t know for sure until that whistle goes.

“By the end of game three we should know where we are in the pecking order – hopefully, near the top!”

The Titans have managed third and fourth-placed finishes in the last few seasons, so what do they need to do to step up into the top two?

“I think the biggest thing is depth – we have a good group of 20-25 players now,” said Yapp.

“In the past we’ve not had a massive squad, compared to sides like Chinnor and Cinderford.

“We have the right players in place; we need to keep people fit so we have the players to choose from, and we’ll try and break into that top two.”