Four years ago this week, as Wales were en route to what would become a disastrous Six Nations trip to Rome – and with the 2007 World Cup weighing heavily on everyone’s minds – Betws RFC were themselves preparing for the continent and their Betws en France tour.

As part of the trip, the club was keen to find a side from Nantes to tackle during their stay in the Brittany capital - where Wales would themselves be facing Fiji.

Thanks to the efforts of the club’s French winger Stephane Boissinot, a fixture was arranged between Betws and Le XV de L’Erdre RC – and the Jean-Luc Decombe trophy was born.

On March 11 – the eve of the Wales v Ireland game in Cardiff, the clubs will again go head-to-head as the Frenchmen send their third team to play Gwilym Lewis’ Betws Super Seconds.

The Betws men will undoubtedly have their work cut out if they are to ensure that the trophy does not make its way back to France.

Conscious of the fact that they have never won the trophy, the visitors will be eager to, at the very least, triumph in La Troisieme mi-temps and will be bringing with them an array of French produce for everyone to taste in the post-match party at Betws RFC’s function room.

The party, which is sure to last long into the night, will undoubtedly prove a wonderful occasion and a fantastic opportunity for everyone to discover some of France’s best kept culinary secrets.

The evening will also see games of palets – a typical game from the Vendee region that Le XV will be bringing with them.

Despite being just four years old, there is already a feeling that the Jean—Luc Decombe trophy will be around for many years to come and continue to forge a strong bond between the two clubs long into the future.