REDRUTH director of rugby Richie Kevern says the leaders will have to be at their ‘best for long periods’ as they prepare to welcome fellow unbeaten side Taunton Titans tomorrow (3pm) in National League Two (West).

The Reds and their second-placed opponents both have a perfect four wins from four at the start of the campaign, Redruth extending their perfect start last weekend by securing an impressive 34-19 success at Exeter University, which included a hat-trick from hooker Tom Cowan-Dickie.

Reflecting on last week’s success which also included tries from No.8 Rob Baragwanath, scrum-half Sam Bray and hooker Jarrod Hambly, Kevern said: “It was great to get another away win at a difficult place like Exeter University, a side that can really stretch you and put you under pressure. But all credit to the lads, they showed great control throughout and dominated the areas we knew were critical if we were to get the result we wanted.

It was nice to welcome Connor Gilbert back into the fold who brings a wealth of experience into the side, while Rob Baragwanath was destructive in his first start and has grown well into our team since joining.”

However, having faced two promoted sides in Bournville and Devonport Services and a Uni side who only just survived last term, the Reds are about to go up a couple of levels as they face Taunton who are only behind the Reds on points difference and spent three seasons in National League One before relegation in 2024.

Kevern said: “This week is a massive challenge and one we are looking forward to facing.

“Taunton are one of the top teams to face in the league and will require us to be performing at our best for long periods if we are to get the result we want. They did the double over us last season, so we know they will be travelling confident. But I’m sure our great crowd will get behind us and create the atmosphere to match what should be a good game of rugby.”

From last weekend there are four changes with two either side of the scrum.

Prop Rohan Ewels is back from work and replaces Plymouth Albion loanee Max Surry, while youngster Finn Wolstencroft gets the nod at the base of the scrum in place of Baragwanath.

In-form scrum-half Sam Bray is on holiday, so youngster Jacob Chapple takes the nine shirt having been amongst the replacements last weekend. Meanwhile, Luke Johnson is available and comes in for Matt Blewett who drops out of the squad altogether.

REDRUTH: Luke Johnson; Noah Clifford, Jack Simmons (capt), Connor Gilbert, Jack Counter; Joe Cummins, Jacob Chapple; Rohan Ewels, Tom Cowan-Dickie, Tyler Gendall; Luke Hattam, Todd Prisk; Mawgan Osborne, Will Symons, Finn Wolstencroft. Replacements: Max Surry, Cam Leigh, Kaiden Carne, Rob Baragwanath, Adam Hall.