TAUNTON Titans will face South West rivals Barnstaple, Clifton, Dings Crusaders, Plymouth Albion and Redruth in the National Clubs Association cup competition next year.

With no National League rugby possible in 2020/21 due to Covid-19 restrictions, 44 teams are to take part in a cup competition which begins with a regionalised group stage to reduce travel times for clubs.

Taunton will play the five other teams in Group 8 twice, home and away, before the competition moves into its second phase.

Based on group positions, clubs will be split into cup, plate and bowl competitions, and those matches will be played on a knockout basis to determine the three winners.

The start of the tournament has been delayed until at least February, following Covid-19 restrictions announced at the start of this month.

Plymouth Albion secured a top-half finish in National 1 last season, while the other teams in Taunton's group are National 2 South sides.

The full groups are:

Group 1 - Blaydon, Darlington Mowden Park, Tynedale, Wharfedale, Harrogate

Group 2 - Barnes, Chinnor, Esher, Henley Hawks, Rams RFC, Rosslyn Park

Group 3 - Birmingham Moseley, Leicester Lions, Stourbridge, Luctonians, Cinderford, Hinckley, Loughborough Students.

Group 4 - Blackheath, Canterbury, Old Elthamians, Tonbridge Juddians, Worthing Raiders

Group 5 - Sale FC, Caldy, Chester, Fylde, Sedgley Park

Group 6 - Bishop’s Stortford, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Old Albanian, Westcliff

Group 7 - Leeds Tykes, Huddersfield, Sheffield Tigers, Hull, Hull Ionians

Group 8 - Plymouth Albion, Barnstaple, Redruth, Clifton, Dings Crusaders, Taunton