TAUNTON were founded in 1875 and four years later staged one of the first-ever rugby union games, a 0-0 draw with the pitch illuminated by flares and torches.

In 1905 a crowd of 9,000 crammed into their Jarvis’s Field ground and saw Somerset lose 23-0 to the All Blacks.

Taunton started their league life in South West One, but were relegated four years later in 1991. They had a short spell at that level from 1994 before re-organisation of the league structure.

In 2002 and 2004 they sunk to Western Counties North, but on each occasion were immediately promoted.

Then in 2009 the Titans won South West Two with a 100 per cent record and immediately finished top of National Three South West the following year.

The 2019-20 campaign their ninth season in National Two South, but after a tense struggle their stay at Level Four ended by winning the title in the shortened campaign.

Our clubs have met on 15 occasions in the league – Rams lost the first seven encounters but won the next three before the Somerset men triumphed 18-17 at Veritas Park in October 2021.

A further quartet of victories – most recently 41-35 in Somerset last September – has since cut the deficit to 8-7 in favour of Taunton.

To book tickets for Saturday's game at the discounted price of £15 (£17.50 on the day), click here