Major anniversary for historic match

ORGANISERS of the annual match between Stratford and Paris side Sporting Club Universitaire de France (SCUF) are hoping rugby fans will turn out in their numbers to mark Saturday’s 120th anniversary of this historic contest.

Around 3,000 watched the inaugural game back in 1905 which was played at the Parc du Princes with the matches switching between the two countries ever since.

Stratford won that first encounter 21-0 and the 1906 return game saw them victorious again at the end of a game played in front of 2,000 spectators at Pearcecroft.

Last year Stratford lifted the Rose Cup on French soil after seeing off SCUF 43-20 and they will be hoping to retain the silverware this weekend.

The contest is the world’s oldest international amateur rugby club fixture and Saturday’s game kicks off at 3pm, part of a weekend of anniversary events to include a drinks reception and celebratory dinner.

Stratford rounded off their league campaign with victory over Ledbury at the weekend. Turn to page 47 for a report and full round-up of the weekend’s rugby.