DEVONPORT Services will kick-off their National Two West season tonight when they visit much-fancied Taunton Titans (7.45pm).

It is one of the toughest fixtures Services could have asked for as they prepare to taste National League rugby for only the second time in their history.

Their first experience came just two years ago, but their stay was short-lived as they were relegated back to Regional One South West after eight months at level four, with just four wins to their name.

But, despite again staying amateur, which is something of a rarity at national level, they are hopeful that they will be more successful this time around.

“We have got a much better squad in terms of strength in depth this time,” said head coach Ben Russell.

“This year our twos have gone up to level seven (Counties One Western West) and new boys have come in.

“Two years ago, we ended up using 48 players and ended up having proper twos players featuring for the ones.

“We know it is going to be a tough year with both teams going up a league, but if both could stay up, it would be great.

“I think with where we are and our financial ability to absolutely not pay anybody, then I think it is all about staying up.”

It has been a summer of change at the Rectory with plenty of comings and goings in the squad.

Long-standing club captain Matt Gregory has retired after more than 350 appearances for the club, while the experienced Richard West has moved to Counties Two Devon side Plymstock Oaks, along with Tyler Busfield, Matt Neyle, Aiden Taylor, Tom Richards, Al Thomas and Toby Moss.

Forward Bertie Fordham has a year’s placement at Taunton Hospital and so has joined this evening’s opponents, while fellow back-rower James Hocking is out for the foreseeable future with injury.

But there has been plenty of new faces arriving in the squad over the summer, while Gregory and Shaun Crawford have joined the coaching team.

Henry Clement, Joe Hearle, Lewis Woolaway, Archie Gray, Callum Arnold, Max Ward, Shaun Crouch, Bryn Edwards, Cameron MacDonald, Isaac Venner, Fynn Reeves, Fergus Wood and Alex Lynch are among the new arrivals.

Devonport have also secured the loan signing of Plymouth Albion players Jake Bond and Ben Sharpe.

Clement previously played for Albion, as well as Premiership side Wasps, and is likely to fill the gap at number nine, while former Saltash lock Woolaway and ex-Plymstock forward Gray will bring some more youth and bulk to the Services pack.

They should also have influential Harrison Coonick and Mike Rickard fit this season after the pair missed their last campaign at level four due to injury.

Russell admits that with both the first team and second team getting promoted it was always likely to be a summer of change, with some players opting to drop down the league structure for various reasons and others joining for the opposite motivation.

“A few of the older lads who have been at Services for a long time have decided to leave,” said Russell.

“It was always going to happen at some point and it’s happened now, but we’ve got so many new players, and we are in a lot better position than we were two years ago.”

Services have certainly been handed a difficult start to the season with an away evening trip to Taunton followed by a home game against Redruth.

“It’s not an easy start,” admitted Russell. “But it is probably an easier start than the one we had two years ago. Then we had the top six in the first six games.

“But it is just a really competitive and tough league.”

Former National One side Taunton could include two former Devonport Services players.

Back-rower Fordham has joined them after a couple of really good seasons for Services, while former Devonport youngster Israel Akinrowo has also joined the Somerset club this season.

“Bertie Fordham is such a lovely lad and he came on loads for us,” said Russell. “He was a real pleasure to coach, but he’s gone to Taunton as he has moved there due to his university.”

Russell knows Taunton away will be a tough opening test.

“They are going to be physical and big,” he said. “They have got Tom Putt who is a cracking game management 10 who has a good boot on him and can get a team going.

“They are going to be good, but we’ll just see where we are at.

“We’ll try and play a bit and see how we come out of it. We just have to front up and be physical.”