This summer (June 2019), East Grinstead RFC took a touring team to Rugby Club Romanais Peageois in East Grinstead's twin town of Bourg de Peage, France. The 3rd consecutive exchange between the two teams, celebrating an association that stretches back more than 50 years.

After about an hour and a half we touched down in Lyon where we were met by the French contingent, with minibuses to transport us to their clubhouse in Romans sur Isere. Once there we were greeted with jugs of beer which were very well received. I’d heard that Snapper couldn’t make it this year which was disappointing, although it seems there’s no escape as inflatable Snapper was introduced. Another couple who couldn’t make it this year, and were missed, were Bob and Rita Russell – hope to see you there next time! We then went back to our hosts to drop our bags off and have a couple of beers in the pool before meeting at a bar later that night, this was shaping up to be a good tour!

Unfortunately, this is where my memory gets a little bit hazy but I do remember there was some Karaoke involved and Ryland enjoyed showing off his French skills (he’s not sure what he said but we had to leave fairly quickly). Saturday was match day (and Ted’s birthday) and after three hours sleep we were taken to another bar for oysters and beer for breakfast, perfect match preparation.

On arriving at the clubhouse, it soon became apparent that in the 40 degree heat a full 80 minute match might not be the best idea. Matt Ravenscroft’s negotiating skills came to the fore and for safety reasons both teams agreed to a 20 minute each way game of touch. Surely no-one could get injured playing touch… Unfortunately, we lost the game (but it was touch)!

After the game EGRFC presented RCRP with a tour shirt commemorating their 70th anniversary, and a 1st team EGRFC club shirt which was gratefully received. Tour rules insisted that we wear fancy dress after the game, everyone came as someone born in 1949 (the same year as RCRP was ‘born’). There were some strong contenders for best costume and I think it would be unfair to pick a winner. Once the formalities were over with we enjoyed the band that had been booked.

Ryland had returned from hospital at this stage where he had been treated for concussion and a broken leg (thanks again to Laeti Tia for all her help with this). Again, my memory starts to fail a bit at this stage but I do remember a rather impressive fireworks display at the end of the night. Sunday we met at the clubhouse again where we were treated to a BBQ which went down very well. The rest of the evening was spent at the clubhouse, after which people went off with their respective hosts. I can’t speak for anyone else but I know I particularly enjoyed my hosts’ wine cellar that evening.

Monday started well, the majority of us took a wander into town for a bit of lunch and a few drinks before getting picked up in minibuses and ferried to the airport. It was sad to say goodbye to our French friends. At the airport is where morale starts to slide a bit. We were due to fly back around 7 that evening, but our flight was first delayed, then cancelled. We were told we could fly back from Geneva to Luton the following evening, or fly back from Lyon to Gatwick (our original route) in a couple of days. After deliberating a few options, some of us decided on hiring a few cars and taking a road trip back (there were no spare hire cars) others decided on taking the bus (they bought tickets but weren’t allowed on the bus – still not sure why) so our only other option was to book hotels for the night (there were no hotels) and take the train in the morning. After spending the night in the airport we made our way to the train station only to find out our train had been cancelled. Thanks to Edu’s French skills, which came in handy more than once during the tour, we managed to get ourselves on another train just in time to get our connection on the Eurostar, we’d made it home! Despite the slight issues we had around getting home this year’s tour was a great success and I’m already looking forward to next year when we hope to host the French at EGRFC!

Alex Ingham - EGRFC Organsier