YOUNG rugby players hosted a delegation from France ahead of travelling across the Channel later this month to take on their twin town rugby rivals.

The Berry Hill RFC U16s welcomed the visitors from Coleford’s twin town St Hilaire de Riez in the Vendee region of France to watch a game and enjoy a buffet lunch. 

The group, who were in the Forest town to support the Mayor

of Coleford’s Charity Dinner on Saturday, February 24, attended the Sunday morning match before enjoying refreshments provided by the team.

And the welcome will be repaid when the Berry Hill team, parents and coaching staff will travel to St Hilaire to play their first international fixture overseas against French opposition. 

Wayne Sharkey, team coach, said: “We all think that the trip will be a fantastic opportunity for the lads to play a game of rugby against a European team, which is a first for Berry Hill junior section, to experience the French culture, way of life and explore and learn more about the town that is twinned with their home town.”

Amongst the visitors from France were Laurent Boud­elier, Mayor of St Hiliare de Riez; Damien Guibert; Patrick Tillet (chairman and secretary of the Twinning Association), and Cecile Brasseur an employee of the council in St Hilaire.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the twinning association or becoming a member should visit the website www.colefordtwinning.org