La Rochelle 2024

The 8th tour of the modern era saw 24 Salcombe Rugby Club tourists visit the beautiful city of La Rochelle. Among the tourists were 5 fresh faced virgins yet to experience travelling abroad with the club. Turning up in the traditional virgin attire, heads were turned as they breezed through security and made their way to the bar. With the obligatory 'Its 5 o'clock somewhere' pints on board, for once the team arrived at the boarding gate with time to spare. No need to send virgin runners ahead this time around and thankfully no airport announcement communicating that the entire flight were waiting for Salcombe RFC. Jay's bag managed to fit into the Easyjet baggage much to the disappointment of the veterans who still remember him paying £30 on the last tour for the bag to be carried up the plane steps by cabin crew and not placed in the hold which he was supposed to have paid for. Kempy  proved the Easyjet staff wrong by squeezing his bag into the cage to save him a fee whilst Drewsy used the human shield Tranty to hide his considerably oversized bag through without anyone noticing. The Bus transfer to La Rochelle passed without much fuss and soon the boys were heading out to the their first night out. Heading to happy hour in a bar which Dafydd kept remarking 'We've come to France to sit in a bloody Wetherspoons' in his broad Welsh accent. At least he didn't have to make much effort for the theme of 'Shit shirts/Hawaiian' night as his whole wardrobe consists of them! Sammers led the Virgins for an exercise class in front of several stunned locals and the night was just beginning. Charlie, Neil & Drewsy discovered 'Brambles' which seemed like a great idea early on but it certainly took its toll. Jez had clearly had his Weetabix in the morning as he was plying Tranty with fresh drinks every ten minutes. Needless to say the big guy had to disappear off early in his usual hunt for a Kebab shop. Papa Clarke's denture was passed around for all to try on before the boys headed into what felt like the smallest nightclub with the most people in for a short stint.

Friday was 'Chairman's Day Out' and Errol led the group on a trip to a water park. A short train journey up the coast from La Rochelle and a walk along a sunny promenade led to the destination. A quick look over the wall resulted in some laughter when the realisation dawned that the water park was actually closed. However the pool was open and it was an easy decision to head in for a swim. The lifeguards looking on slightly bemused as the virgins appeared from the changing rooms wearing their new one piece swimming costumes - some managing to pack it better then others! Very quickly the record was set for the most number of people down the indoor water slide in scenes reminiscent of previous trips to a water park in 2009. Some aqua aerobics, indoor volleyball and virgin swimming races made for a very enjoyable afternoon swim. Lunch followed in a beach side restaurant before the Virgins embarked on the 'Bird-Box Challenge'.  A well-deserved guard of honour for 'Chairman-Lad' Errol on the return to the hotel before night two of antics in La Rochelle.

Gameday on Saturday and a short journey to hosts RC Marais Poitevin. Arriving to a clubhouse decorated with flags and banners made by the local school children and seeing a brass band setting up, the Crabs could sense the locals were up for it. The national anthems must have sparked some extra adrenalin as Salcombe raced into a 10-0 lead. The home side sensed the tourists weren't as shoddy as they first appeared made a few substitutions and soon the Crabs were chasing shadows as the home side came right back into it. With further scores coming for both teams it was Charlie 'Alpha' Rawlinson who reminded the Crabs that it is rude to win on tour by deliberately stepping to one side as the home team centre had broken clean through. The home side dually took the win before the after match drinking commenced. A quick Kangeroo court for all of the fines took place and the obligatory Virgin bridge (they were terrible all weekend) before some brilliant Karaoke on the bus back to La Rochelle for the final night.

The final day saw the boys hire Bikes and embarked on a tour of the city out to La Rochelle's stadium, parks and beaches. A stop in the bar to watch Exeter Chiefs take on Toulouse before the long journey back to Blighty.

Tour 2024 will go down as one of the all time favourites out of the tours to date. Roll on 2026 and tour number 9.