It would normally take months, if not years of training to get into peak condition ready for a match in Toulon, yet there we were with only a fraction of that time to prepare!

RC Toulon has numerous rival supporters’ clubs who are incredibly sociable and hospitable to travelling fans, and who wanted to host the London Irish Supporters Club members… très bon!

But would our stamina and pre-match training be enough?

So, it was with a slight sense of trepidation that we ventured into a Saturday evening with Les Fadas du RCT at their very own clubhouse, Le Cafoutche. Our hosts treated us to a traditional French buffet and after an exchange of gifts, the conversation and singing flowed as freely as the beverages!

A few of the hardier LISC members (made of sturdier stuff and who had clearly put in a lot more practice than me!) were still fit enough to make it to a pre-match lunch with Les Bulls, a second Toulon Supporters Group, at the Roosevelt Brasserie almost next to The Stade Felix Mayol.  I’m told that the paella was magnifique!     

There was the small matter of the game of rugby and THAT try, after which many of the Toulon fans wanted to exchange caps, badges and flags, and we were happy to oblige.

A strong finish from our travelling supporters and reinforced by the LIRFC Executive & Management Team saw us meeting Leis Amigo e Ami Dou Rubi at the waterside bar Le Navigateur, where we treated to a buffet and another great social. Our friends from that group put together this collage.

There are plans for more LISC Events in the pipeline, involving Past & Present Players, Management, and other Supporters Clubs.

Details of how to join LISC are on line at: https://lisc.uk/membership-2021-22/

A final ‘Thank You’ to our wonderful hosts in Toulon, and I hope that we can make travelling supporters as welcome as they did.

And as the sun sets on our European season, a final image of this trip to Toulon; if you ever get the chance to make this trip (for rugby or otherwise) … DO IT!