TAUNTON Titans are set to hand some of their promising young players a chance to impress in Saturday’s crunch National 2 South match against league leaders The Rams.

The Titans are without flankers Jarrard Hayler and Ratu Vakalutukali, both on Navy duty, while number eight Sam Prior is doubtful.

Julian Salvi, meanwhile, was pencilled in to feature on Saturday but is now required to work with the Exeter Chiefs A side, and wing Aron Struminski is on international duty with Poland.

Titans head coach Tony Yapp said: “Our backline is looking strong but we are missing a few in the back row.

“However, this is a brilliant opportunity for players to step up from the Warriors.”

“Ben Oliphant-Thompson and Dan Ogden will come in, both of whom have played really well for the Warriors all season.

Yapp is expecting a response from his side, who were beaten 51-38 by Barnes in their last outing a fortnight ago.

“We had a meeting on Tuesday about the season so far and it was positive,” he said.

“We know there are a few things we need to do better and we are disappointed with the games we have lost.

“That said, the fact we are disappointed while only sitting one point off second place is an indication of our ambition and where we want to be.”

Saturday’s opponents, who were previously known as Redingensians Rams and lost 31-21 at Hyde Park last season, are currently eight points ahead of the Titans having lost just once all season.

Yapp said: “They are top of the league for a reason.

“We know they will be strong in the forwards and good in the set piece, but hopefully we can match them up front and show what we can do.

“A win on Saturday would show the rest of the league that Rams are beatable and really open things up.

“This league is very competitive this season - we weren’t at our best at Barnes, but they were excellent and thoroughly deserved the win.

“That showed, as do results like [London Irish] Wild Geese beating Redruth, that every team can punish you if you are not focused.”

Yapp also spoke of his pride in former Titan Sam Skinner, who was man of the match on his international debut for Scotland on Saturday (see page 116).

“I was saying on Tuesday that, three or four years ago, he was in the same boat as a lot of our lads now,” Yapp said.

“It shows where hard work can get you - we are very proud of what Sam has achieved.”

To follow all the action from Hyde Park as it happens tomorrow, see our live blog at countygazette.co.uk/sport from 2.45pm