Players out for Taunton

TAUNTON Titans go into today’s crucial home game against the top-of-the-table Rams, formerly Redingensians, in National Two South with key players missing.

Titans are without talented flankers Jarrard Hayler and Ratu Vakalutukali, who have both been called up to play for the Army.

Winger Aron Struminski is on international duty with Poland, while Titans had hoped to play back rower Julian Salvi, the side’s defence coach, but he is required to work for Exeter Chiefs’ A team.

In addition, Titans’ centre Freddie Frazier will be sidelined for another six weeks after the recurrence of an ankle injury.

Frazier was injured during Taunton’s 27-3 home win over Winscombe in the quarter-finals of the Somerset Cup.

It is a big blow for Frazier, who had been out of action since late September with damaged ankle ligaments.

Titans, in second spot, trail Rams by eight points with both sides having played the same number of games.

Elsewhere in National Two South, 14th-placed Old Reds have an important clash at home to Guernsey, who are just one rung above them on the league ladder.

Dings, in tenth, host fifthplaced Tonbridge Juddian, while Clifton, who lie 12th, are at home to an Old Albanians team sitting sixth in the table.