Hazelwood was buzzing over the weekend as it hosted the club's annual past players lunch. It was a great day out which formed part of fantastic weekend of rugby. The Wild Geese treated their 200+ spectators to a rugby feast by beating Harpenden 38 – 29 in a hard fought contest.

Not to be outdone the Emeralds, having travelled down to the West Country on Sunday, beat Bristol 31-0. No doubt the victory was well worth the journey. Elsewhere our youth sides also had a successful weekend. Even the London Irish Golf Society got in on the act by holding their AGM in one of the dressing rooms before the lunch.

Saturday afternoon’s event, however, took centre stage as the Geese hosted mid-table opponents Harpenden in a contest watched by multiple generations of past London Irish players. Almost 200 sat down to a three course meal which no doubt took some organising. Bernice and her team at Hazelwood Community Centre excelled themselves by providing an impressive array of food all served in a timely and effective fashion.

Our guests for the day not only included representatives of Harpenden's committee but the CEO of the RFU Bill Sweeney accompanied by London Irish legend Conor O'Shea.

Bill and Conor earned their lunch by participating in a panel discussion on the future of rugby ably facilitated by MC for the day Chris Magowan. It was an interesting session which focused on the RFU's plans to support grassroots rugby.

It was fascinating to see so many groupings of former London Irish players coming back together to rekindle the camaraderie of their playing years and to swap tales from the past. The conversations went on late into the evening and it was a joy to behold.

Interesting to see also that whilst the focus was mainly on past players, their friends and the partners of players also participated in this fantastic gathering. Truly demonstrating the breath and depth of the London Irish rugby community.

Long may it continue.