Palatine hosting French rugby team through Sister Cities program

You don't have to go far to see an international rugby competition next week.

The Palatine Rugby Club is hosting a team from Fontenay-le-Comte, France, as part of a visit coordinated by the Sister Cities Association of Palatine. Four coaches and some 40 players ages 16 to 20 from the Fontenay-Luçon Rugby Sud Vendée rugby club will be staying with families from the Palatine Rugby Club and the Sister Cities association beginning Friday. They'll be playing rugby matches, as well as visiting notable spots in Palatine and Chicago, before leaving April 16.

Palatine became a sister city with Fontenay-le-Comte, France, in 1995. Organizers say they hope to foster human, cultural, language and civic enrichment as part of this week's exchange.

The teams from Palatine and France will face off at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Fremd High School, and at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Harper College.

The Palatine Baseball Association will also be hosting 14-inch softball games at Community Park, 250 E. Wood St. at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

All games are free and open to the public.