Betws turn from local to international pressures.

Having put domestic matters in good stead with their recent victory at Ystradgynlais, Betws RFC are now looking ahead to a more international affair with the visit of French Club XV De L’Erdre.

This will be the return visit of the French club that Betws met during the recent World Cup.  The clubs play for the Jean-Luc Decombe trophy named the former L’ Edre official after and Betws became 1st holders with a impressive win out in France, the trophy now taking pride of place behind the bar.  However the French club are bringing over a squad of 30+ determined to take the trophy back across the channel.

L’erdre, the only rugby club in the North of the Breton city of Nantes is a young club, formed in 1979.  However they are currently playing at their highest ever level in the 2nd division of the “Pays de La Loire” region of Western France.

Both clubs and both clubs’ 2nds teams are leading their divisions which will make it an intriguing clash and with both sides committed to running rugby it should also be an entertaining affair.

Of course with such ventures the actual match is only half the story and the Betws club are determined to recipertate the fantastic welcome they got out in France.

“It was an amazing experience” said tour leader Gwilym Lewis, “We had a real taste of French and Breton life and some of the parties went on long into the night.”

After the match there will be the inevitable sing song, top local rock act The Somethings and then a disco.  The French party will meet in the Coopers on Saturday morning before travelling up to Cardiff to watch the Championship decider between France and Wales and on the Sunday will have a traditional Sunday dinner in the rugby club before returning home. 

It’s part of a busy 6 nations for the Betws club.  On field both sides are within sight of their respective Division titles whilst off field they are holding a number of charity events for Betwinneed/Ryan4leukaemia and on 19th of March there is a meeting at the clubhouse as they look to set up a new Under 13s side.

Club Captain Paul Roberts said, “The club is trying to offer more than just rugby for the local community and we hope that people will back these various ventures.  We are determined to be a success on and off the field.”