The 27 strong U18 team from Modena Rugby 1965 with an entourage of management and parents toured London from the 5th to the 8th of February.

London Scottish and Modena Rugby formed a rugby partnership last year to give young players the experience of different cultures while making friends in the extended rugby family.

Modena is a renowned city of the Emilia Romagna area in Italy, more known for parmesan cheese, parma ham, traditional balsamic vinegar and super motors like Ferrari, Lamborgini, Maserati and of course the home town of Pavarotti.

Modena Rugby Club is thriving and is doing a massive amount of work in the area around Modena introducing rugby and supporting other clubs.

London Scottish arranged two games against London clubs for Modena, a Twickenham Stadium and Museum tour whilst the visitors also took in the London Scottish v Bristol Championship game where they were Guard of Honour.

The first game took place against London Irish U18s and the team from Modena claimed a hard fought 10-5 win despite losing a couple of valuable players in the process through injury.

The tour then culminated in the main event, a game between London Scottish U18s and Modena – a Test match as some of the Italians called it!

London Scottish proved too strong, putting in a very good strong performance to run out 55-10 winners – Ed Sanderson claiming a hat-trick and all players playing their part.

Club Development Manager, Corne du Rand said: “Gifts and speeches were exchanged at the post match meal and this partnership is now well on it’s way.

“Modena players were hosted by the London Scottish U18 lads in their homes and some were put up in a hostel for the two nights.

“Friendships were formed over the two days between the two clubs and one of our parents provided six players with a bed to sleep on but fed 16 of them!

“The generosity of our parents and volunteers, helping from driving mini buses, to collecting, dropping off players and showing incredible hospitality, was a great testament to the friendly club we are and the people involved.”

He added: “The aim of this partnership will remain to introduce players from both clubs to each other’s cultures and build  friendships round the game of rugby.”