By Jackie Cahill
 
Members of a fledgling GAA club in France are preparing to play an exhibition match in front of 35,000 rugby fans in Nice next Sunday.
 
Azur Gaels, in existence since last September, will pit their wits against GF Provence in a Gaelic Football curtain-raiser to the glamour RC Toulon-Stade Français Top 14 rugby clash at the Allianz Riviera Stadium.
 
The venue is one of the stadia that will be used for Euro 2016 and is scheduled to host Northern Ireland’s clash with Poland on June 12.
 
Chard Faul from Azur Gaels confirmed: “We invited neighbouring club GF Provence to play this match against us to add local interest.
 
“The Azur Gaels now have French Association status and are fully registered with the French Fédération de Football Gaélique and the GAA.
 
“We played our first ever friendly game away at GF Provence on December 12, losing 11-4 to 4-5 with eight beginners in our starting line-up.
 
“Despite losing, it was a great experience for all involved, and certainly a very proud day for myself and Azur Gaels co-founder Charley Cornillau.”
 
Faul is a native of Reading in England and only discovered Gaelic Football when he moved to Toulouse in December 2012.
 
He added: “Most incredibly of all, just four months after myself and Charley first got together to kick some scores between a pair of poplar trees in the park, the club has been invited to play a Gaelic Football demonstration match as the curtain-raiser to the RC Toulon v Stade Français Top 14 rugby match.
 
“This game features the champions of Europe against the champions of France and the second ever match in our club’s history will be played in a 35,000 seater stadium.
 
“The question we’ve received most is ‘how did you manage to wangle that one?’
 
“We received a Facebook message on December 22 from an RC Toulon representative in charge of match-day entertainment.
 
“As if we needed persuading, she was offering us seats for the Top 14 match afterwards! 
 
“It was the most extraordinary Christmas present ever.
 
“So, on January 31, we will be representing the magnificent sport that is Gaelic Football in front of the French public.
 
“We think this is the biggest venue and/or crowd for any Gaelic Football match ever played on French soil.
 
“The match is to be preceded by a one-minute video explaining the rules to the audience.
 
“We've asked if Paul O'Connell would be willing to participate in some form or other, but RC Toulon have replied that given his injury he will probably be absent from the occasion.
 
“All I can say is, Paul, if you're reading this, get your hobble on and come and support your local GAA team!”
 

 
You can find Azur Gaels on Facebook or email: azur.gaels@gmail.com. The club's new website, azurgaels.com, should be up and running by January 31.