London Scottish director of rugby Brett Taylor has played down his side’s recent slump in form insisting that he is happy with the team’s progress this year.

The Exiles have lost their last three games and their misery was compounded on Saturday when they were trounced 27-14 by Stourbridge leaving them nine points behind runaway leaders Esher.

But Taylor remains adamant that his side are still playing high-quality rugby and made it clear that any judgement made on his team should be solely based upon the form they have shown throughout the season.

“You can’t really say it’s a slump in form,” he said.

“You have to remember that we’re second in the league having only lost six games so in terms of the season I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved.

“Of course we’re disappointed in having three defeats in a row but people forget that two of them were by a point and last week we came up against a Stourbridge side who were hungry and desperate to win.”

And despite the disappointment of the last few weeks the continued financial problems at Championship outfits Birmingham & Solihull and Coventry could yet open the door to promotion for the Exiles.

But Taylor admitted his side are a work in progress and revealed he was already preparing his side for another assault on the National League One title next year.

“We have a side that is growing and evolving with every game they play and with the hunger and desire they have shown this season we are certainly moving in the right direction,” he added.

“But we have to be realistic and abide by the regulations of this league. That means only Esher should be rewarded with promotion and we therefore expect to be a National One side next season.”

Scottish’s next three games: Apr 3 Newbury (h), 10 Tynedale (a), 17 Blackheath (h).