Rugby is a global sport with a variety of club and national team championships being played in various parts of the world. But are you aware of the main rugby championships around the world? Here’s everything you need to know!
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Top rugby championships in the world
Premiership Rugby (England)
Premiership Rugby is England’s leading rugby union league and one of the most prestigious in the world. It was founded in 1987 as the elite league of English rugby union. It is organized by Premiership Rugby and comprises 12 professional clubs.
The season of what is one of the world’s leading rugby leagues runs from September to May, with each club playing the others in back-to-back matches. The top four clubs advance to the playoffs, culminating in the final to determine the champion.
Premiership Rugby Clubs
- Bath Rugby – City: Bath
- Bristol Bears – City: Bristol
- Exeter Chiefs – City: Exeter
- Gloucester Rugby – City: Gloucester
- Harlequins – City: London (Twickenham Stoop)
- Leicester Tigers – City: Leicester
- London Irish – City: London (Reading)
- Newcastle Falcons – City: Newcastle upon Tyne
- Northampton Saints – City: Northampton
- Sale Sharks – City: Sale (Greater Manchester)
- Saracens – City: London (Barnet Copthall)
- Wasps – City: Coventry
Top 14 (France)
One of the world’s leading rugby leagues, the Top 14 was founded in 1892, making it one of the oldest leagues in the world. It is organized by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR). The name “Top 14” refers to the 14 clubs competing in the league.
The Top 14 regular season runs from August to June, with each club playing the others in back-to-back matches. The top six clubs advance to the playoffs, culminating in the final which decides the champion. The bottom two clubs are relegated to Pro D2, the second tier of French rugby, and the top two from Pro D2 are promoted.
The Top 14 attracts elite players from all over the world and many of its players take part in international competitions representing their countries.
Clubs in the Top 14
- ASM Clermont Auvergne – City: Clermont-Ferrand
- Aviron Bayonnais – City: Bayonne
- CA Brive – City: Brive-la-Gaillarde
- Castres Olympique – City: Castres
- Lyon OU – City: Lyon
- Montpellier Hérault Rugby – City: Montpellier
- Pau (Section Paloise) – City: Pau
- Racing 92 – City: Paris (La Défense Arena)
- RC Toulon – City: Toulon
- Stade Français – City: Paris
- Stade Rochelais – City: La Rochelle
- Stade Toulousain – City: Toulouse
- Union Bordeaux Bègles – City: Bordeaux
- USA Perpignan – City: Perpignan
Pro14 (Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa)
The Pro14 is also one of the best-known rugby leagues and involves clubs from several nations, including Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy and South Africa. It is one of the most diverse and competitive leagues in world rugby.
The league is made up of 14 teams divided into two conferences. Each team plays 21 matches in the regular season, facing all the other teams within their conference and in inter-conference games. The best teams advance to the playoffs, culminating in the grand final.
The Pro14 attracts top-level players from all over the world and many of its players compete internationally, representing their respective nations in tournaments such as the Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup.
Pro14 Clubs
- Connacht Rugby – City: Galway (Ireland)
- Leinster Rugby – City: Dublin (Ireland)
- Munster Rugby – City: Limerick/Cork (Ireland)
- Ulster Rugby – City: Belfast (Ireland)
- Cardiff Rugby – City: Cardiff (Wales)
- Dragons – City: Newport (Wales)
- Ospreys – City: Swansea (Wales)
- Scarlets – City: Llanelli (Wales)
- Edinburgh Rugby – City: Edinburgh (Scotland)
- Glasgow Warriors – City: Glasgow (Scotland)
- Benetton Rugby – City: Treviso (Italy)
- Zebre Parma – City: Parma (Italy)
- Cell C Sharks – City: Durban (South Africa)
- Vodacom Bulls – City: Pretoria (South Africa)
Super Rugby (New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Japan)
One of the most famous rugby championships, Super Rugby involves clubs from the elite nations of the southern hemisphere and Japan. This competition is known for its high level of intensity and talent, with some of the best rugby players in the world taking part.
It began in 1996 as the Super 12, with 12 teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. The competition expanded to Super 14 in 2006 and then to Super 15 in 2011. In 2016, the tournament was restructured to include teams from Argentina and Japan, becoming known as Super Rugby.
The format of Super Rugby has undergone several changes over the years. Traditionally, the competition is divided into regional conferences (New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Japan) with matches within and between conferences. The best teams advance to the playoffs, culminating in the grand final.
Super Rugby clubs
- Blues – City: Auckland (New Zealand)
- Chiefs – City: Hamilton (New Zealand)
- Crusaders – City: Christchurch (New Zealand)
- Highlanders – City: Dunedin (New Zealand)
- Hurricanes – City: Wellington (New Zealand)
- Brumbies – City: Canberra (Australia)
- Melbourne Rebels – City: Melbourne (Australia)
- Queensland Reds – City: Brisbane (Australia)
- Waratahs – City: Sydney (Australia)
- Western Force – City: Perth (Australia)
- Bulls – City: Pretoria (South Africa)
- Lions – City: Johannesburg (South Africa)
- Sharks – City: Durban (South Africa)
- Stormers – City: Cape Town (South Africa)
- Jaguares – City: Buenos Aires (Argentina)
- Sunwolves – City: Tokyo (Japan)
These rugby championships represent the highest level and provide exciting matches and intense rivalries around the world. Each tournament has its own history, traditions and legacy within the sport. Stay on our website for similar content!
