Famed for producing its 161 internationals and 60 British Lions, the Accies had to rely on two Alex Webber tries to defeat the club 14-0 who were five times senior national champions and this year make their long anticipated return to the top flight of French rugby.
Now in its sixth year, the 16-team Tournoi Cornouaille attracted competitors from Moscow to Pretoria, but this year became the year of the Celts as the Welsh students saw off the physical challenge of Racing, and in the other half of the draw the large partisan crowd cheered on the home Bretagne region to cause the upset of the tournament, defeating the powerful Marseille team by three points.
With the Bretagne region having long ago adopted the tune of ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’, both anthems before the final had a familiar tune with their respective Celtic lyrics.
The Accies then gave a final display of their expansive skillful rugby to claim the Trophee Ravy with a 24-0 victory, with tries from Owen Williams, Dan Crimmins, Harley Thompson and Bowdy Davies.
