Ashford RFC in Kent are looking for veterans and women’s teams to take part in two tournaments at its sixth annual beer and rugby festival in September.

A vets team from Uzes near Narbonne in southern France is among 10 sides already confirmed for the vets’ tournament at the Ashford club on Saturday September 6, while six women’s teams have signed up for their tournament on Sunday the 7th.

Ashford veterans who witnessed the Uzes team – allegedly containing a number of ex-French internationals – play in Narbonne in May considered retiring en masse on the spot! But they have all pledged to be at the festival with the money raised going to The Wyvern Special Needs School.

All participants can camp for free and receive free entry to the beer festival, which offers more than 40 real ales and ciders, pig roasts and live music all weekend. Each team is asked for a minimum £15 entry fee as a charitable donation.

Ashford’s first XV will be playing on the Saturday, and there will be additional matches for youth sides. There is also a 24-hour rugby marathon on Thursday September 4 in aid of cancer research.

Festival organiser Chris Akers can be contacted at cjakers@hotmail.com or through the website www.ashford-beer-festival.co.uk.