STRATFORD-upon-Avon RFC lost 36-13 against French side SCUF in the 120th anniversary of the fixture.
The national anthems of Great Britain and France rang out around Pearcecroft before kick-off with the Rose Cup on the line.
And Stratford took an early lead when Dan Whitby kicked a penalty from right in front of the posts.
The home side doubled their lead with another penalty from close to the posts before SCUF scored the game’s first try.
After sustained pressure on the Stratford line, SCUF eventually found a gap to dot down and kicked the conversion to take a one-point lead.
And the French side then caught Stratford off guard with a short lineout to score their second try in the corner.
SCUF scored their third try later in the half following a succession of quickly-taken penalties.
And the French side took command of the game with their fourth try before the break as Stratford trailed by 18 points at the interval.
Stratford responded after the break when Zak Amond dropped over the line following a driving maul as Whitby converted to further reduce the deficit.
However, SCUF scored again soon after with the French side first to reach a kick over the Stratford try line.
And SCUF scored the game’s final try shortly after the restart in the corner but had a player sent off before the referee blew the final whistle.
Before the main fixture took place, SCUF and Stratford played a 10-versus-10 fixture with a number of legends taking part in the game for the home club.
