Reflecting on the third edition of the Flanders Open Rugby tournament in 1996 brings to mind a distinct era. Sports were being sponsored by cigarette brands and going to the gym as a rugby player wasn’t really a thing. It was a time when the tournament was still in its early stages, featuring 18 competing teams from 6 countries. The victorious team was the British rugby club, The Essex RFU, which would go on to secure additional victories in following editions.