Two reports for the price of one! Firstly, lead coach Mike O’Hara takes us on a journey through the Young Reds u14 tour to France, with a sprinkling of the match in his report, then our regular correspondent Stuart Taylor dips into the game in greater detail gradually unfolding the drama as it happened. A great tour by all accounts and a huge well done to all involved!
An Unforgettable Sporting Adventure Abroad!
Michael O’Hara
On Friday 1st May 23 players and 4 coaches of Linlithgow Rugby Club’s Under-14 team embarked on an exciting journey to Plaisir in France, filled with anticipation, camaraderie, and a zest for sporting challenge. This trip was more than just a rugby match; it was an opportunity for the players to experience a new culture, build lasting friendships, and develop their skills both on and off the pitch.
The team gathered early at Linlithgow train station, buzzing with excitement and nervous energy, where after gathering for a team photo, they were then piped onto the Edinburgh train. Next a train to Kings Cross, a quick lunch and then onto the Eurostar to whisk us under the English Channel to France and onto Paris. A couple of Metro trips and a train we arrived in Plaisir 12 hours after leaving Linlithgow. Upon arrival, the group was greeted with warm weather and the coaches and parents of Plaisir Rugby who very kindly provided us with mini bus transport to our hotel, and for the rest of the weekend.
Next morning at 9:00 am we were picked up by the Plaisir Rugby coaches and transported to the rugby stadium, where the Linlithgow players and coaches were welcomed with a guard of honour by the Plaisir players. Into the changing rooms to get changed and ready for the biggest rugby match of their careers so far. At 10:00 both teams ran out onto the pitch together and lined up for a rendition of Flower of Scotland followed by La Marseillaise, then it was straight on with the match.
With the sun on their backs the Linlithgow boys prepared to receive the kick off by Plaisir. The game was evenly matched with Linlithgow scoring the 1st try to take the lead, then the French struck back with 3 tries for the score to be 17 – 7 to Plaisir at half time. In the 2nd half the Linlithgow fought back and scored 2 tries, Plaisir scored a try to leave the score 24 – 21 to Plaisir with 5 minutes to go, then Linlithgow scored a spectacular try from there own 22.
Final score: Plaisir 24 – 28 Linlithgow
A game was fiercely contested but played in the true spirit of rugby, with sportsmanship and respect at the forefront. The team faced challenges such as adapting to different playing styles, French Federation Under 14 rules, and communicating across language barriers. Nevertheless, they rose to the occasion, showcasing determination, resilience and teamwork.
After social media interviews, gift exchanges and lunch the French transported both teams to an ariel tree course where the Linlithgow boys and the Plaisir boys & girls climbed together and made friends. Then back to the stadium for a BBQ, speeches and cake.
Sunday morning was another early start with both teams going to the Palace of Versailles for a treasure hunt in the grounds, kindly organised by one of the Plaisir parents. Lunch was again provided at the rugby club and in the afternoon we watched Plaisir senior team in a play-off for promotion to the next league, which they narrowly lost.
Monday was a day of sight seeing in Paris with the highlight being a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Back to the stadium for the last time to pickup our kit and say au revoir to our new friends who were busy in their Monday evening training session.
After 5 days of unforgettable experiences, the team returned to Linlithgow by train, tired but exhilarated. Parents and supporters welcomed them home, proud of their achievements and growth.
The trip was a resounding success, leaving the players with cherished memories, improved skills, and a greater appreciation for international rugby and a was a milestone in their sporting journey. It provided them with invaluable experiences, broadened their horizons, and fostered a love for the game that will last a lifetime. The adventure stands as a testament to the power of sport in bringing people together across borders and cultures.
And a special thank you to all the players, coaches and parents of Plaisir Rugby club who made this rugby trip into such a memorable event for the boys and coaches of Linlithgow Rugby U14 team.
Allez les Rouges!
Plaisir U14’s 24 – 28 Linlithgow U14’s
Saturday 2nd May 2026
Match report by Stuart Taylor
Plaisir in French means “pleasure,” “enjoyment,” or “delight”. It is safe to say that all who played, supported or watched the footage of Saturdays under 14’s game, between Linlithgow’s young reds and their generous French host club couldn’t help but feel all of these things.
The Plaisir team in blue welcomed the touring reds team by forming a guard of honour and clapping them into their impressive club on arrival in the warm May sunshine.
The players, coaches and the travelling supporters were impressed by the Plaisir facilities and if this was a glimpse of French rugby’s youth set up its little wonder that French rugby is considered to be amongst the very best in the world. Sport seemed to be very high on the agenda within the Plaisir community. In order to get to the immaculate rugby pitch and its impressive stand the travelling supporters had to navigate their way around tennis courts, a football pitch with running track and a basketball court.
As the home and travelling supporters exchanged pleasantries outside the players tunnel, the slightly bleary eyed Young Reds squad emerged and warmed up in the increasingly hot conditions, some showing the effects of their late first night on tour and all the excitement that comes with it.
Sun cream applied and water bottles topped up, the players returned to their changing rooms and emerged from the players tunnels and onto the pitch where Plaisir had a further surprise for the visitors in the form of the pre match national anthems. With each team linking arms and lining up, the 23 travelling Linlithgow players and their travelling support did well to belt out Flower of Scotland in the May morning sunshine. Another amazing memory from a tour full of many amazing memories.
Anyone would have forgiven the young reds for being overwhelmed by the scale of the occasion. The Plaisir support even had a drummer leaving no doubt that French rugby fans are passionate at all levels of the game not just when they try to out sing the home support at Murrayfield.
With Scottish pride, adrenalin and excessive amounts of exotic Haribo coursing through their veins the Young reds kicked off in this auld alliance encounter.
From the get go it was clear that the visitors would have to adapt to the French under 14’s rugby laws which included permission to rip the ball and lifting at the line out.
Thankfully the teams appeared to be evenly matched. The young reds were the first to put points on the board when Callum G emerged from the side of the scrum and wrestled his way over the white wash close to the corner flag. With the kicking tea positioned some way out on the far side line, up stepped Rory who hit the ball sweetly and over it went. This was an achievement not just due to the tricky angle and distance but due to the fact that Rory’s broken foot had healed nicely, just in time for his Plaisir trip , all that calcium clearly paid off. With maximum points on the board the Plaisir crowd got behind their team and the blues ferociously attacked wave after wave.
Logan C, Lucas, Jack S worked tirelessly at the break down along with Jay, Archie, Finlay H and Joe tenaciously doing their level best to keep the blues at bay. It wasn’t long before Plaisir broke through scoring a well worked try which they failed to convert.
With only 2 points in it the game had been more even than initially expected, but with the mercury climbing it was going to be a tiring second half thankfully there was a healthy reds bench eager to play their part.
Plaisir emerged from the tunnel meaning business and it wasn’t long before they were in front with a converted try.
The red bomb squad made there way onto the pitch and heroically tackled, jackled and contested everything that the Plaisir team had to throw at them. Struan, Harvey, Logan P, Finlay C, Brodie, Tom, Bailey and Lysander all fought hard in the searing temperatures.
Ruairi was the king of the press and matched the blues intensity, giving the hosts very little time for pretty rugby. At points the accurate cries of hot tattie could be heard form the travelling support with each team fumbling and exchanging possession at a frenetic pace in the hot conditions.
Plaisir capitalised from a few missed tackles and over they went again. Fortunately for the reds the conversion didn’t go over on this occasion with the scoreline sitting at 17 – 7. The young reds needed to get something and quickly.
But press on they did and the reds found themselves with a line out on the blues 22. Jack B deftly found the hands of Nathan, who delivered the ball to Jack S who then shot the ball into the arms of Jay. In a trademark Jay move running a direct line and planting the ball below the uprights. Nathan stepped up and lashed the ball over.
The 3 point margin was short lived unfortunately as the Plaisir squad ferociously dug in and thwarted the reds advances. Gaining ground the blues recycled the ball well and it wasn’t long before the reds were trailing by 10 points again as the plaisir kicker had found his kicking boots.
With the home fans banging the drum and the travelling support getting more animated this was a truly exceptional experience unlike anything the young reds, their coaches had ever experienced.
The young reds fought magnificently with Callum F and Jack B leading the charge. A crunching tackle from Lucasfollowed by a swarm of red descending on the winded Plaisir player and it was Ruairi that successfully ripped and emerged with the ball and after a surging run found Logan C who carried bravely into the Plaisir pack thankfully the supportive red shirts were queuing up and the ball was delivered to Jack S who fed the ball to Callum G who turned on the afterburners, evading one tackle as he made his way to the wing and outpaced the plaisir defenders before looping round to thoughtfully plant the ball close to the sticks for the kicker Rory who smacked the ball over to put the reds within 3 points of the ultimate away victory.
The supporters had been loud but it now got a lot louder!
With a line out given inside the young reds half on the far side of the pitch. Jack S found Fly half Max who deftly flicked the ball up into the arms of Scott who ran on to the ball at pace, cutting a line through the centre of the pitch. Scott slipped through the first Plaisir players arms, closely followed by a second plaisir players arms and then evaded a third Blue defenders attempts. Scott was clean through and accelerating towards the uprights, with screams of agony and ecstasy going up through the Plaisir stand as he crashed down with Plaisir players snapping at his heels for what may go down as the try of the season! Max showed nerves of steel as he stepped up and slotted the teams 4th successful conversion over.
With the scoreline sitting at Plaisir 24 – 28 Young Reds, the jubilation quickly turned to good old fashioned Scottish angst! Could the Young Reds close this out having been trailing for a large part of the second half against an incredibly tough French team.
The blues banged away at the red wall and were camped inside the visitors 22 with cries of ‘how long’s left’ being drowned out by the now fully hyped home supporters. In a last ditch attempt at a score the Plaisir pack got within metres of the try line and a match winner when a mis-timed run meant the looping pass to the wing fell behind the player. Nathan and Finlay H were on the runner in seconds. With the remaining Plaisir ball carrier held up the swarming Reds marched him towards the touch line before the ball left the Plaisir players hand and crossed the line and the match was won!
The match even had post match interviews conducted by local young sports journalists. It was clear that the players had not lost sight of the big three team values encouraged by the team coaches, namely respect, represent and responsibility.
This along with a number of moments throughout the year and the tour has proven that the young reds were indeed growing up and have an awareness and understanding of critical values that are import to rugby and in life. With a victory in the bag the young reds could look forward to all of the planned activities and perhaps more importantly forming memories and friendships that would last a lifetime.
Linlithgow Rugby Club 