Leicester Tigers joined dignitaries, sponsors, players and officials to celebrate the success of the 2009 Vaquerin Challenge at a cheese and wine evening in Roquefort.

Tigers played games against Montpelier and Castres as part of their summer training camp in Saint Affrique.

Coaches Richard Cockerill, Matt O’Connor and Paul Burke, and players Aaron Mauger, Sam Vesty, Harry Ellis and Tom Croft were among the Tigers representatives who joined hundreds of people at the cheese and wine event in Roquefort.

Cockerill and his players posed for photographs and talked rugby with their hosts. The Tigers head coach, who played in France for two years with Clermont Auvergne, also made a speech in French to thank the community for their hospitality before exchanging gifts with organisers.

He said: “The tournament has been a good test for us in the build-up to the season, and we have been made to feel very welcome.”