RAMS’ strength and conditioning coach Joe Southwell has hailed an incredible effort from the players as they get set to return to National One action at Taunton Titans on Saturday (3pm).
Having completed a perfect 10 bonus-point wins to start the season, the visitors will look to continue their dream start at Veritas Park – a venue they lost 18-17 to the final kick of the game last time out.
Ahead of what promises to be another cracking contest, Southwell said : “To get 10 wins you have to have everything in place, and it’s incredible from the players.
“The hard work the boys put in during pre-season has been key – they knew what we wanted from them, and they did it – and we’re pleased they implemented what we asked.
“We’re in our third season at National One – the first we were finding our feet, the second was a bit up and down at times, but now the guys know how to play.”
He continued: “There’s much more diversity in how we’re scoring points. In the past it’s predominantly been from the forwards being so dominant, but now we’re playing expansively and some of the power and speed in the backs – Axel (Kalling-Smith) with his raw strength, the speed of Jak Rossiter, Birdy (Henry Bird) and Charlie Robson, it’s been huge.
“The pack speaks for itself in terms of how robust it is – we’re at least 50 kilograms less than every other pack – but the ability we have at the set-piece counters that and we’re proud.”
Southwell and fellow strength and conditioning coach Daryl Watson mixed up their pre-season programme back in July and August, looking to add more explosive power to the squad with the former continuing: “It’s gone well. Time is the biggest constraint for us in terms of training sessions, but the coaching team allowing us to continue working on power has been massive.
“It’s nice to hear a few people saying some of the success with the ball carrying potentially comes down to our suggestions, but ultimately it’s the guys on the field doing it.”
Rams preserved their unbeaten campaign with a come-from-behind 26-14 victory at home to Plymouth Albion before the rest week, and Southwell was pleased to see his side find another way to win having impressed as front-runners in most previous games.
He said: “The Plymouth game was the first time we’ve come under pressure in being behind going into the last quarter, but the guys dug deep.
“Having (captain) Robbie (Stapley) back helped in terms of the leadership, and credit to the guys with their fitness, they stuck at it for the full 80.
“The week before at Leeds (36-10), the game was done at the end, but we continued to defend the goal line for the last five minutes and that desire to play the full 80 and win games really shone through.”
