Winning All Round – The First RFTG Mini Tour

London Irish v Cardiff Blues
Madejski Stadium, Reading

The day started off with some filming – local TV station Meridian had come along to see what all the fuss was about. (It is hoped that the story will be featured in the news over the next couple of days). Drinks from the private bar were followed by personal visits from Bob Casey, Irish Second Row and the legendary World Cup hero, Mike Catt.

The boys steeled themselves for some serious pre-match socialising and weren’t disappointed. Lunch with the ladies, having their photos taken and signing countless programmes are part and parcel of an ordinary hospitality event – the RFTG crowd were a new phenomenon and one that kept them hooked. They reluctantly left after 90 minutes, promising to be back the next time.

Match time soon came round and another special treat awaited the ladies. The fact that Jonah Lomu was not making his debut for Cardiff Blues that day was swept away in a hysterical frenzy - as it became clear that the man himself was going to be sharing the RFTG box for the match. He graciously signed programmes and allowed photos to be taken, but must have been disappointed at the score, which ran very close - especially in the second half. 
 

After the match Matt Banahan (6’7, 18 year old Academy player and favourite of the RFTG girls) came to visit along with half back Riki Flutey, newly arrived from  New Zealand. French International and Irish flanker Olivier Magne made his second appearance at an RFTG event and drew the raffle for the ladies, who won prizes including a London Irish signed ball, RFTG memory sticks and bottles of 37.5% proof Irish Vodka!

Who was ‘man of the match’? No idea who was on the pitch, but in the Director’s Lounge the ladies unanimously voted Philippos (our host for the day) the outright winner. What a star! Philippos plays rugby for Richmond, but during the week they let him work for London Irish as the community officer. Thank you Philippos – a Dreamsquad contender if ever there was one.

Thank you also to   www.Top-Consultant.com for helping us publicise this great event to its readership of business professionals.