A record total of 64 Belgian and international teams will compete over the weekend. The open tournament is, as always, hosted by Dendermonde Rugby Club (DRC), one of the largest clubs in Flanders.

A ten-a-side competition, compared to the traditional 15-a-side, creates more fast-moving play, explains Paul O’Reilly, club member and father of four junior members of DRC. “Ten-aside is a more open game with fewer forwards and more impressive tries,” he explains.

Ensuring both a smooth and high standard of play will be referees from England. Alongside five teams from Belgium are squads from the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, France, Poland, Denmark, South Africa and Cameroon.

The tournament is separated into three divisions: men’s, women’s and veterans with total prize money of €3,000. While on-pitch action will be predictably fierce, off-pitch activity is likely to be equally electric with the rugby club transformed into a tent city and festival site.

Each team will be assigned its own military-style tent and the remaining grounds will be filled with beer tents, frietkots, barbecue and fun activities for the little ones. Both the local commune and Flemish Region have helped the club organise and finance what is the fifth largest sporting event in Flanders.

It kicks off on 21 May with a welcoming reception, while the main party on Saturday starts with a barbecue and continues with an Ice Age themed fancy dress party until the early hours of the morning. Prizes will be awarded to both the best-dressed individual and team.

The final ceremony with trophy presentation to the winning teams takes place on Sunday evening. The players may be weary and the fans a tad fatigued, but the tournament will end with a fitting festive finale.

Flanders Rugby Open Tournament
21-23 May
Sportcomplex Sint-Gillis Dendermonde
203 Van Langenhovestraat 
www.dendermonderugby.com