Titans newcomers get thumbs-up

England 7s wing/full-back Ben Foley and scrum-half Matt Walsh will help carry the fight in the Greene King IPA Championship next season.

Foley (22), the younger brother of Titans’ Charlie Foley, comes fresh from a successful trial at the Lane. He's been part of the England set-up in the last year and at 6ft 3in and 94kg, he will add a physical presence to the Titans back line. He also turned out for Clifton and Plymouth Albion.

Ben was brought to our attention by Simon Amor, the Great Britain's men's 7s head coach for this summer's Olympic Games in Rio,” said Burnell.

“He's a player who has huge potential, he's just finished a two-week trial with us and straight away we could see the quality. He'll give us that added advantage in the wide channels."

Like Foley, Burnell said that Walsh fitted the profile he was looking for.

The Taunton-born back impressed in National One with Darlington Mowden Park last season and is ready to make the step up.

Added Burnell: “He's very fit and very quick across the ground and he too has a fantastic skill-set. He'll complement our other two 9s and now we've got three very young, exciting scrum-halves at the club.”