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{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox sport overview
{{Infobox sport overview
| country = Spain
| country = Spain
| sport = rugby union
| sport = rugby union
| image = Mathieulopez.jpg
| image = Mathieulopez.jpg
| imagesize = 300px
| imagesize =
| caption = Spain playing Portugal
| caption = Spain (in blue kit) playing [[Portugal national rugby union team|Portugal]] <br/> in March 2009
| union = [[Spanish Rugby Federation]]
| union = [[Spanish Rugby Federation]]
| nickname =
| nickname =
| first = 1901
| first = {{Start date and age|1901}}
| registered = 37,241
| registered = 51,123<ref name="irb.com">[http://www.irb.com/unions/union=11000017/index.html]</ref>
| clubs = 221
| clubs = 332
| match =
| match =
| national_list = [[Rugby World Cup]]<br>[[European Nations Cup (rugby union)|European Nations Cup]]<br>[[Rugby World Cup Sevens]]<br>[[IRB Sevens World Series]]<br>[[Superibérica de Rugby]]
| national_list = {{collapsible list|
*[[Rugby World Cup]]
*[[European Nations Cup (rugby union)|European Nations Cup]]
*[[Rugby World Cup Sevens]]
*[[IRB Sevens World Series]]
}}
| club_list = [[División de Honor de Rugby|División de Honor]]<br>[[División de Honor B de Rugby|División de Honor B]]<br>[[Copa del Rey de Rugby]]<br>[[Supercopa de España de Rugby]]<br>[[European Challenge Cup]]<br>[[European Shield]]
| club_list = {{collapsible list|
*[[División de Honor de Rugby|División de Honor]]
*[[División de Honor B de Rugby|División de Honor B]]
*[[Copa Ibérica de Rugby]]
*[[Copa del Rey de Rugby]]
*[[Supercopa de España de Rugby]]
*[[European Challenge Cup]]
*[[European Shield]]
}}
| countryflag = Spain
| countryflag = Spain
}}
}}


'''Rugby union in Spain''' is a growing team sport. As of 2014, there were 51,123 registered [[rugby union]] players in [[Spain]],<ref name="irb.com"/> playing for 221 clubs in various divisions.
[[Rugby union]] is a growing team sport in Spain. As of 2019, there were 37,241 registered [[rugby union]] players in [[Spain]], playing for 332 clubs in various divisions.
The governing body for rugby union in Spain, the [[Spanish Rugby Federation]] (Spanish: Federación Española de Rugby), founded in 1923, joined the [[International Rugby Board]] in 1988.<ref name=Completerugby>Bath p74</ref> It is also a member of [[FIRA – Association of European Rugby|FIRA]].
The sport's governing body in Spain, the [[Spanish Rugby Federation]] (Spanish: Federación Española de Rugby), was founded in 1923. It joined the [[International Rugby Board]] in 1988,<ref name="Completerugby">Bath p74</ref> and is also a member of [[Rugby Europe]].

There are traditionally four main rugby playing regions in Spain: the capital [[Madrid]], the city of [[Valladolid]] in the [[Old Castile]] region, the entire regions of [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]], and [[Catalonia]], particularly in the north and also around [[Barcelona]].<ref name="Completerugby" /> Rugby has been emerging recently in [[Valencia]] and [[Andalucia]] as well, with clubs like Marbella or CAU Valencia providing several players to the national team.


The [[Spain national rugby union team|Spanish national team]] plays in the [[European Nations Cup (rugby union)|European Nations Cup]], a competition for second tier European rugby nations such as Portugal and Russia. Spain is ranked 21st in the world, and played at the [[1999 Rugby World Cup]]. The [[Spain national rugby sevens team|national sevens team]] is now one of the 15 "core teams" that participate in each event of the annual [[IRB Sevens World Series]], having earned that status at the [[2012 Hong Kong Sevens]].
The [[Spain national rugby union team|Spanish national team]] plays in the [[Rugby Europe International Championships|Rugby Europe Championship]], a competition for second tier European rugby nations such as [[Georgia national rugby union team|Georgia]], [[Romania national rugby union team|Romania]] and [[Russia national rugby union team|Russia]]. Spain is ranked 18th in the world, and played at the [[1999 Rugby World Cup]]. The [[Spain national rugby sevens team|national sevens team]] is now one of the 15 "core teams" that participate in each event of the annual [[World Rugby Sevens Series]], having earned that status at the [[2017 Hong Kong Sevens]]. Both men and women rugby sevens national teams qualified for the [[Rugby sevens at the 2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Olympic Games]].


==History==
==History==
Rugby was first introduced into Spain before [[World War I]].<ref name=Completerugby/> However, subsequent events such as the [[Spanish Civil War]], which was particularly violent in the sport's Basque and Catalan heartlands hindered its development. There are traditionally four main rugby playing regions in Spain: [[Madrid]], the city of [[Valladolid]] in the [[Old Castile]] region, the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque Country]], and the region of [[Catalonia]] particularly around [[Barcelona]].<ref name=Completerugby/>
Rugby was first introduced into Spain before [[World War I]].<ref name=Completerugby/> However, subsequent events such as the [[Spanish Civil War]] hindered its development.{{cn|date=March 2022}}


===Early history===
===Early history===
The earliest recorded game in Spain was in 1901, when an Englishman, Stuart Nicholson, resident in [[Bilbao]],
The earliest recorded game in Spain was in 1901, when an Englishman, Stuart Nicholson, resident in [[Bilbao]],


:''"turned to Racing Club, when he wanted eye catching opposition for a three team tournament, also involving British and French exiles in Barcelona."''<ref name=Richards1>Richards, Chapter 4, ''Between Schism and War'', p102</ref>
:''"turned to Racing Club, when he wanted eye catching opposition for a three team tournament, also involving British and French exiles in Barcelona."''<ref name="Richards1">Richards, Chapter 4, ''Between Schism and War'', p102</ref>


However, rugby lay largely dormant in the country until after the end of World War I, when rugby was reintroduced into Spain from the south of [[France]], particularly [[Provence]] and the [[French Basque Country]]. In 1921, Baudilio Aleu Torres, a Catalan, who had been studying [[veterinary medicine]] in [[Toulouse]], returned to his native [[Barcelona]], and founded the Santboiana Club there.<ref name=Richards2>Richards, Chapter 6, ''Gathering Storms'', p129</ref> Santboiana's pitch was cleared by the players themselves, and according to Huw Richards, "a tree was tolerated and used as a coat hanger, until it was uprooted after a few games."
However, rugby lay largely dormant in the country until after the end of World War I, when rugby was reintroduced into Spain from the south of [[France]], particularly [[Provence]] and the [[French Basque Country]]. In 1921, Baudilio Aleu Torres, a Catalan, who had been studying [[veterinary medicine]] in [[Toulouse]], returned to his native [[Barcelona]], and founded the Santboiana Club there.<ref name="Richards2">Richards, Chapter 6, ''Gathering Storms'', p129</ref> Santboiana's pitch was cleared by the players themselves, and according to Huw Richards, "a tree was tolerated and used as a coat hanger, until it was uprooted after a few games."


The [[Spanish Rugby Federation]], the governing body for rugby union in Spain, was founded in 1923.
The [[Spanish Rugby Federation]], the governing body for rugby union in Spain, was founded in 1923.
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A Spanish XV played [[France national rugby union team|France]], including [[Yves du Manoir]], in 1927, but it was organised by a rebel governing body, and so is not usually recognised as a proper international game.<ref name=Richards2/>
A Spanish XV played [[France national rugby union team|France]], including [[Yves du Manoir]], in 1927, but it was organised by a rebel governing body, and so is not usually recognised as a proper international game.<ref name=Richards2/>


Spain's first ''recognised'' international was in 1929, against [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]], in Barcelona, at [[Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys|Montjuïc Stadium]], as part of the 1929 Expo.<ref name=Richards2/> The [[Spanish Royal Family]] attended and all of the players were Catalan.<ref name=Richards2/> Spain won 9-0.<ref name=Richards2/>
Spain's first ''recognised'' international was in 1929, against [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]], in Barcelona, at [[Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys|Montjuïc Stadium]], as part of the 1929 Expo.<ref name=Richards2/> The [[Spanish royal family]] attended and all of the players were Catalan.<ref name=Richards2/> Spain won 9–0.<ref name=Richards2/>


===Post-war period===
===Post-war period===
{{Expand section|date=December 2009}}
{{Expand section|date=December 2009}}


In 1960, a French priest, Father George Bernés,<ref>{{es}} [http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=555094 "El Salvador, del patio del colegio a Europa en 50 años"] ''[[ABC (Spain)|ABC]]''. Retrieved 1 June 2013.</ref> introduced the game in Valladolid, [[Castile and León]], leading to the creation of two of that region's clubs: [[CR El Salvador|Cetransa El Salvador]] and [[Valladolid RAC]].
In 1960, a French priest, Father George Bernés,<ref>{{in lang|es}} [http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=555094 "El Salvador, del patio del colegio a Europa en 50 años"] ''[[ABC (Spain)|ABC]]''. Retrieved 1 June 2013.</ref> introduced the game in Valladolid, [[Castile and León]], leading to the creation of two of that region's clubs: [[CR El Salvador|Cetransa El Salvador]] and [[Valladolid RAC]].


Spain's international record includes wins over Italy in 1977 and [[Romania national rugby union team|Romania]] in 1992 and 1994.<ref name=Richards3>Richards, Chapter 11, ''Triumph of the Welfare State Rugby Player'', p204</ref><ref name=Richards4>Richards, Chapter 13, ''Resisting the Inevitable'', p235</ref>
Spain's international record includes wins over Italy in 1977 and [[Romania national rugby union team|Romania]] in 1992 and 1994.<ref name="Richards3">Richards, Chapter 11, ''Triumph of the Welfare State Rugby Player'', p204</ref><ref name="Richards4">Richards, Chapter 13, ''Resisting the Inevitable'', p235</ref>


With the thawing of relations between the UK and Spain over the [[Disputed status of Gibraltar|Gibraltar question]], [[rugby union in Gibraltar]] has become more closely linked with its Spanish neighbours.<ref name=Completerugby2>Bath p67</ref> When the border between Spain and Gibraltar reopened, after having been closed between 1968 and 1985, a number of games were played against sides from [[Seville]] and [[Madrid]].<ref name=GibRugby>[http://www.gibraltarrugby.com/about-gibraltar-rugby.html]</ref> Campo Gibraltar RFC now play in the [[Andalucia]]n second division.<ref name="GibRugby"/>
With the thawing of relations between the UK and Spain over the [[Disputed status of Gibraltar|Gibraltar question]], [[rugby union in Gibraltar]] has become more closely linked with its Spanish neighbours.<ref name="Completerugby2">Bath p67</ref> When the border between Spain and Gibraltar reopened, after having been closed between 1968 and 1985, a number of games were played against sides from [[Seville]] and [[Madrid]].<ref name="GibRugby">{{Cite web |title=医療費を抑えるために出来ることとは |url=https://www.gibraltarrugby.com/%e5%8c%bb%e7%99%82%e8%b2%bb%e3%82%92%e6%8a%91%e3%81%88%e3%82%8b%e3%81%9f%e3%82%81%e3%81%ab%e5%87%ba%e6%9d%a5%e3%82%8b%e3%81%93%e3%81%a8%e3%81%a8%e3%81%af/ |date=31 January 2019}}</ref> Campo Gibraltar RFC now play in the [[Andalucia]]n second division.<ref name="GibRugby" />


In 1989, the [[Spain women's national rugby union team|Spanish women's team]] played their first match, against [[France women's national rugby union team|France]], losing 0-28. In 2000, they joined the [[Women's Six Nations Championship|Women's Six Nations]], but in 2007, the tournament was altered so that [[Italy women's national rugby union team|Italy]] replaced Spain, in order to mirror the [[Six Nations Championship|men's tournament]].
In 1989, the [[Spain women's national rugby union team|Spanish women's team]] played their first match, against [[France women's national rugby union team|France]], losing 0-28. In 2000, they joined the [[Women's Six Nations Championship|Women's Six Nations]], but in 2007, the tournament was altered so that [[Italy women's national rugby union team|Italy]] replaced Spain, in order to mirror the [[Six Nations Championship|men's tournament]].


===Present day===
===Present day===
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[[File:Anoetako futbol zelaia.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Estadio Anoeta]] before redevelopment in May 2017.]]
In more recent times, thanks to the influx of expatriates, a fifth "region" has opened up along the beach resorts on the [[Mediterranean]] coast, the [[Canary Islands]] and [[Balearics]]. In these areas, however, local people rarely participate, the exception being the Marbella Rugby club on the Costa Del Sol, whose members are an equal mix of expatriates from the UK, South America and locals. The success of this policy is displayed by the progress of their junior teams, recently reaching the final of the national club championships in 2010, thus giving them the title of second best side in the country in 2010 and then going on to win the club championship in May 2011, to become the best U16 club side in Spain. The Marbella players also make up the majority of the regional Andalucian team which participate at national level. A number of juniors from this region have been selected for regional as well as national teams. The Torrevieja rugby club on the Costa Blanca also has a similar composition of players. [[Beach rugby]] has become popular in many areas, as has [[rugby sevens]]. There are several rugby sevens tournaments in the country, including the [[Benidorm Sevens]].
In more recent times, thanks to the influx of expatriates, a fifth "region" has opened up along the beach resorts on the [[Mediterranean]] coast, the [[Canary Islands]] and [[Balearics]]. In these areas, however, local people rarely participate, the exception being the Marbella Rugby club on the Costa Del Sol, whose members are an equal mix of expatriates from the UK, South America and locals. The success of this policy is displayed by the progress of their junior teams, recently reaching the final of the national club championships in 2010, thus giving them the title of second best side in the country in 2010 and then going on to win the club championship in May 2011, to become the best U16 club side in Spain. The Marbella players also make up the majority of the regional Andalucian team which participate at national level. A number of juniors from this region have been selected for regional as well as national teams. The Torrevieja rugby club on the Costa Blanca also has a similar composition of players. [[Beach rugby]] has become popular in many areas, as has [[rugby sevens]]. There are several rugby sevens tournaments in the country, including the [[Benidorm Sevens]].


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[[File:Anoetako futbol zelaia.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Estadio Anoeta]]]]
In recent years, [[Estadio Anoeta]] in the Basque Country has also been used for occasional [[Heineken Cup]] rugby union fixtures by nearby [[Top 14|French-Basque]] club [[Biarritz Olympique]] (BO). In the [[2009–10 Top 14 season]], both Biarritz and fellow [[Northern Basque Country|Basque]] club [[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]] will take one home match to the Anoeta. On 21 August, Bayonne will host [[Stade Français]] at the Anoeta, followed on 12 September by the Northern Basque derby between Biarritz and Bayonne, with BO as the home team. The stadium, which holds 32,076, was inaugurated in 1993.{{update after|2010|09|12}}
In recent years, [[Estadio Anoeta]] in the Basque Country has also been used for occasional [[Heineken Cup]] rugby union fixtures by nearby [[Top 14|French-Basque]] club [[Biarritz Olympique]] (BO). In the [[2009–10 Top 14 season]], both Biarritz and fellow [[Northern Basque Country|Basque]] club [[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]] will take one home match to the Anoeta. On 21 August, Bayonne will host [[Stade Français]] at the Anoeta, followed on 12 September by the Northern Basque derby between Biarritz and Bayonne, with BO as the home team. The stadium, which holds 32,076, was inaugurated in 1993.{{update after|2010|09|12}}


Spain continues to be popular with touring sides from Britain, Ireland and France, due to its climate and good transport links.<ref name=Eurug>[http://wesclark.com/rrr/euro_rug.html European Rugby], retrieved 19 August 2009</ref>
Spain continues to be popular with touring sides from Britain, Ireland and France, due to its climate and good transport links.<ref name="Eurug">[http://wesclark.com/rrr/euro_rug.html European Rugby], retrieved 19 August 2009</ref>


In playing standard, Spain occupies the second tier in Europe, along with [[Romania national rugby union team|Romania]] and [[Georgia national rugby union team|Georgia]].<ref name=Completerugby/>
In playing standard, Spain occupies the second tier in Europe, along with [[Romania national rugby union team|Romania]] and [[Georgia national rugby union team|Georgia]].<ref name=Completerugby/>


== Popularity ==
== Popularity ==
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[[File:Prebenjaminessanroque.jpg|250px|right|thumb|Under-8 players at [[Club de Rugby San Roque]], November 2007]]
There are over 51,123 registered rugby union players in Spain, with more than 220 clubs across the country. Participation rates for rugby union jumped by 20% in the [[Madrid]] area during the two years following the national team's participation in their first ever [[Rugby World Cup]] in [[1999 Rugby World Cup|1999]]. In addition, funding from the Spanish sports council has also been on the rise. Rugby union gets low media coverage, however, compared to more popular team sports such as [[association football]] and [[basketball]].
There are over 51,123 registered rugby union players in Spain, with more than 221 clubs across the country. Participation rates for rugby union jumped by 20% in the [[Madrid]] area during the two years following the national team's participation in their first ever [[Rugby World Cup]] in [[1999 Rugby World Cup|1999]]. In addition, funding from the Spanish sports council has also been on the rise. Rugby union gets low media coverage, however, compared to more popular team sports such as [[association football]] and [[basketball]].


There are pockets where rugby is particularly popular, such as the city of [[Valladolid]] in the [[Castile and León]] region, [[Sant Boi de Llobregat]] in [[Catalonia]] and [[Ordizia]] in the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque country]]. The rugby club [[Biarritz Olympique]], who come from the French Basque Country have played [[Heineken Cup]] matches at the 32,000-seat [[Estadio Anoeta]] in [[San Sebastián]], Spain and attracted sell-out crowds.
There are pockets where rugby is particularly popular, such as the city of [[Valladolid]] in the [[Castile and León]] region, [[Sant Boi de Llobregat]] in [[Catalonia]] and [[Ordizia]] in the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque country]]. The rugby club [[Biarritz Olympique]], who come from the French Basque Country have played [[Heineken Cup]] matches at the 32,000-seat [[Estadio Anoeta]] in [[San Sebastián]], Spain and attracted sell-out crowds.


On 4 November 2014, [[France]]'s [[National Rugby League (France)|professional rugby union league]] announced that the [[2015–16 Top 14 season|2015–16]] [[Top 14]] final would be held at the [[Camp Nou]] in [[Barcelona]] on 24 June 2016.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.lnr.fr/top-14-le-point-la-finale-2016-du-top-14-au-camp-nou-a-barcelone-04-11-2014-2-17-19269,19269.html?utm_content=megamenu |title=La Finale 2016 du TOP 14 au Camp Nou, à Barcelone ! |publisher=Ligue nationale de rugby |language=French |date=4 November 2014 |accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref> The Top 14 final is traditionally held at the [[Stade de France]] in the [[Paris]] suburb of [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]. However, the scheduling of the [[2015 Rugby World Cup]] will cause the 2015–16 French season to be shifted by several weeks, in turn causing the Stade de France to be unavailable because it will be a major venue for [[UEFA Euro 2016]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/national-rugby-championship/rugby/story/246645.html |title=Barcelona confirmed as host of 2016 Top 14 final |publisher=ESPN Scrum |date=4 November 2014 |accessdate=5 November 2014}}</ref> Holding the event in Barcelona may potentially boost the sport's popularity in that area.
On 4 November 2014, [[France]]'s [[National Rugby League (France)|professional rugby union league]] announced that the [[2015–16 Top 14 season|2015–16]] [[Top 14]] final would be held at the [[Camp Nou]] in [[Barcelona]] on 24 June 2016.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=La Finale 2016 du TOP 14 au Camp Nou, à Barcelone ! |date=4 November 2014 |publisher=Ligue nationale de rugby |url=http://www.lnr.fr/top-14-le-point-la-finale-2016-du-top-14-au-camp-nou-a-barcelone-04-11-2014-2-17-19269,19269.html |language=French |access-date=5 November 2014}}</ref> The Top 14 final is traditionally held at the [[Stade de France]] in the [[Paris]] suburb of [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]]. However, the scheduling of the [[2015 Rugby World Cup]] will cause the 2015–16 French season to be shifted by several weeks, in turn causing the Stade de France to be unavailable because it will be a major venue for [[UEFA Euro 2016]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 November 2014 |title=Barcelona confirmed as host of 2016 Top 14 final |work=ESPN Scrum |url=http://www.espnscrum.com/national-rugby-championship/rugby/story/246645.html |access-date=5 November 2014}}</ref> Holding the event in Barcelona may potentially boost the sport's popularity in that area.


On 17 April 2016, in what is considered by many a milestone in the increasing popularity of rugby in Spain,<ref>{{cite press release| url=http://www.ferugby.es/noticias2.php?titulo=El%20Rugby%20est%E1%20de%20moda |title=El Rugby está de moda |language=Spanish}}</ref> a crowd of 26,500 attended to the [[Copa del Rey de Rugby]] final at [[Estadio Nuevo José Zorrilla]] in [[Valladolid]]. This was the 6th time that a sold-out was achieved in this stadium since its inauguration in 1982, including football matches.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2016/04/16/actualidad/1460824355_078597.html |title=Valladolid ofrece una pista de despegue al rugby español |language=Spanish}}</ref> Tickets were sold out days before the match and prices rose in the Internet touting.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.abc.es/espana/castilla-leon/abci-reventa-entradas-copa-rugby-hace-agosto-internet-201604091325_noticia.html |title=La reventa de entradas de la Copa del Rey de Rugby "hace su agosto" en internet |language=Spanish}}</ref> King [[Felipe VI of Spain]] and prominent politicians like [[Spanish Socialist Workers' Party]] leader [[Pedro Sánchez (Spanish politician)]] or vicepresident [[Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría]] attended to the match.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/rugby/2016-04-12/rey-felipe-saenz-de-santamaria-pedro-sanchez-rugby-zorrilla-valladolid_1182813 |title=Don Felipe, Sáenz de Santamaría y Sánchez se reúnen el domingo... para jugar al rugby |language=Spanish}}</ref>
On 17 April 2016, in what is considered by many a milestone in the increasing popularity of rugby in Spain,<ref>{{Cite press release |title=El Rugby está de moda |url=http://www.ferugby.es/noticias2.php?titulo=El%20Rugby%20est%E1%20de%20moda |language=Spanish }}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> a crowd of 26,500 attended to the [[Copa del Rey de Rugby]] final at [[Estadio Nuevo José Zorrilla]] in [[Valladolid]]. This was the 6th time that this stadium was sold out since its inauguration in 1982, including football matches.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Valladolid ofrece una pista de despegue al rugby español |url=http://deportes.elpais.com/deportes/2016/04/16/actualidad/1460824355_078597.html |language=Spanish}}</ref> Tickets were sold out days before the match and prices rose in the Internet touting.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=La reventa de entradas de la Copa del Rey de Rugby "hace su agosto" en internet |url=http://www.abc.es/espana/castilla-leon/abci-reventa-entradas-copa-rugby-hace-agosto-internet-201604091325_noticia.html |language=Spanish}}</ref> King [[Felipe VI of Spain]] and prominent politicians like [[Spanish Socialist Workers' Party]] leader [[Pedro Sánchez (Spanish politician)|Pedro Sánchez]] and vice president [[Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría]] attended the match.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Don Felipe, Sáenz de Santamaría y Sánchez se reúnen el domingo... para jugar al rugby |url=http://www.elconfidencial.com/deportes/rugby/2016-04-12/rey-felipe-saenz-de-santamaria-pedro-sanchez-rugby-zorrilla-valladolid_1182813 |language=Spanish}}</ref>

[[File:Spain vs Czech Republic 2007 rugby (1).jpg|right|thumb|300px|Spain playing the [[Czech Republic national rugby union team|Czech Republic]] (2007)]]


== National team ==
== National team ==
{{Main article|Spain national rugby union team}}
{{Main|Spain national rugby union team}}
{{See also|Spain at the Rugby World Cup}}
{{See also|Spain at the Rugby World Cup}}


The [[Spain national rugby union team]] represents the whole country and have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s. Their first match was in 1929 against [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]], which Spain won 9-0.
[[File:Spain vs Czech Republic 2007 rugby (1).jpg|right|thumb|250px|Spain playing the [[Czech Republic national rugby union team|Czech Republic]] (2007)]]
The [[Spain national rugby union team]] represents the whole country and have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s. Their first match was in 1929 against [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]], which Spain won 9–0.


Spain has thus far made one [[Rugby World Cup]] appearance, in [[1999 Rugby World Cup|1999]]. They were grouped in Pool A, alongside [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]], [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] and [[Uruguay national rugby union team|Uruguay]]. South Africa and Scotland defeated Spain by 40 points, and they also lost to Uruguay, though it was a closer contest.
Spain has thus far made one [[Rugby World Cup]] appearance, in [[1999 Rugby World Cup|1999]]. They were grouped in Pool A, alongside [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]], [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] and [[Uruguay national rugby union team|Uruguay]]. South Africa and Scotland defeated Spain by 40 points, and they also lost to Uruguay, though it was a closer contest.
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== Competitions ==
== Competitions ==
The [[Spain|Spanish]] [[rugby union]] league is divided into divisions. The top teams play in the División de Honor. In each division, a team plays all other teams twice, once at home and once away. The Spanish league teams compete in a domestic cup competition each year, called the [[Copa del Rey de Rugby|Copa del Rey]]. The winners of the División de Honor de Rugby (Honor Division) play the winners of the Copa del Rey in the [[Supercopa de España de Rugby]] (Super Cup). The champion of the División de Honor earns a spot in the Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition.
The [[Spain|Spanish]] [[rugby union]] league is divided into divisions. The top teams play in the División de Honor. In each division, a team plays all other teams twice, once at home and once away. The Spanish league teams compete in a domestic cup competition each year, called the [[Copa del Rey de Rugby|Copa del Rey]]. The winners of the División de Honor de Rugby (Honor Division) play the winners of the Copa del Rey in the [[Supercopa de España de Rugby]] (Super Cup). The champion of the División de Honor earns a spot in the Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition.

⚫
[[File:Prebenjaminessanroque.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Under-8 players at [[Club de Rugby San Roque]], November 2007]]


=== Divisions ===
=== Divisions ===
* [[División de Honor de Rugby|División de Honor]] (12 teams)
* [[División de Honor de Rugby|División de Honor]] (12 teams)
* [[División de Honor B de Rugby|División de Honor B]] (3 groups of 12 teams each)
* [[División de Honor B de Rugby|División de Honor B]] (3 groups of 12 teams each)
* 12 Regional Leagues
* 12 Regional Leagues:
**[[Andalusian Rugby League]]
**[[Liga Norte de Rugby]]
**[[Basque Country Rugby League]]


=== Other competitions ===
=== Other competitions ===
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==Notable players==
==Notable players==
⚫
The [[Academy Award|Oscar]]-winning actor [[Javier Bardem]] played for the under-16 and under-18 squads and briefly for the senior national team.<ref name="rugby">{{Cite news |last=Pierce |first=Nev |title=Interview with Javier Bardem |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/11/27/javier_bardem_the_dancer_upstairs_interview.shtml |access-date=2007-10-12}}</ref><ref name="Famous">[http://wesclark.com/rrr/famous.html Famous Ruggers by Wes Clark and others], retrieved 19 August 2009</ref> Bardem was originally a [[Flanker (rugby union)|flanker]], but became a [[Prop (rugby union)|prop]], and has been quoted as saying, "being a rugby player in Spain is akin to being a bullfighter in Japan."<ref name=Famous/>

⚫
The [[Academy Award|Oscar]]-winning actor [[Javier Bardem]] played for the under-16 and under-18 squads and briefly for the senior national team.<ref name="rugby">{{cite news | last =Pierce | first =Nev | coauthors = | title =Interview with Javier Bardem | work = | pages = | language = | publisher =''BBC'' | date = | url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/11/27/javier_bardem_the_dancer_upstairs_interview.shtml | accessdate =2007-10-12 }}</ref><ref name=Famous>[http://wesclark.com/rrr/famous.html Famous Ruggers by Wes Clark and others], retrieved 19 August 2009</ref> Bardem was originally a [[Flanker (rugby union)|flanker]], but became a [[Prop (rugby union)|prop]], and has been quoted as saying, "being a rugby player in Spain is akin to being a bullfighter in Japan."<ref name=Famous/>
[[File:JavierBarden07TIFF.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Oscar-winning actor [[Javier Bardem]] is one of the best-known Spanish rugby players]]
[[File:JavierBarden07TIFF.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Oscar-winning actor [[Javier Bardem]] is one of the best-known Spanish rugby players]]


Line 136: Line 153:
* [[David Mota]], [[CRC Madrid Noroeste|CRC Madrid]], formerly a player of [[rugby league]] for the [[Crusaders Rugby League|Crusaders]]
* [[David Mota]], [[CRC Madrid Noroeste|CRC Madrid]], formerly a player of [[rugby league]] for the [[Crusaders Rugby League|Crusaders]]
* [[Francisco Puertas Soto]], capped 93 times by Spain from 1994 to 2001.
* [[Francisco Puertas Soto]], capped 93 times by Spain from 1994 to 2001.
* [[Oriol Ripol]], a wing for [[Sale Sharks]] in the [[Guinness Premiership]], formerly with [[Northampton Saints|Northampton]].
* [[Oriol Ripol]], a wing for [[Sale Sharks]] in the [[Guinness Premiership]], formerly with [[Northampton Saints|Northampton]]; first Spanish player in the Barbarians.
* [[Diego Zarzosa]], [[CR El Salvador]] and [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]], second Spanish player in [[Barbarian F.C.|the Barbarians]]
* [[Diego Zarzosa]], [[CR El Salvador]] and [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]], second Spanish player in [[Barbarian F.C.|the Barbarians]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
* Bath, Richard (ed.) ''The Complete Book of Rugby'' (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 ISBN 1-86200-013-1)
* Bath, Richard (ed.) ''The Complete Book of Rugby'' (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 {{ISBN|1-86200-013-1}})
* Richards, Huw ''A Game for Hooligans: The History of Rugby Union'' ([[Mainstream Publishing]], [[Edinburgh]], 2007, ISBN 978-1-84596-255-5)
* Richards, Huw ''A Game for Hooligans: The History of Rugby Union'' ([[Mainstream Publishing]], [[Edinburgh]], 2007, {{ISBN|978-1-84596-255-5}})


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.ferugby.com/ Spanish Rugby Federation, Official Website]
*[http://www.ferugby.com/ Spanish Rugby Federation, Official Website]
*[http://www.irb.com/unions/union=11000017/index.html IRB Spain official page]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110926202139/http://www.irb.com/unions/union=11000017/index.html IRB Spain official page]
*[http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/article_detail.php?article=103&modeAf=tableauFormulaire FIRA Spain official page]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080105144156/http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/article_detail.php?article=103&modeAf=tableauFormulaire FIRA Spain official page]
*[http://www.zonarugby.com/ International and Spanish rugby union news ]
*[http://www.zonarugby.com/ International and Spanish rugby union news ]
*[http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2001_november/spanish_rugby_going_forward_12494,7716.html SPANISH RUGBY GOING FORWARD]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060904050459/http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2001_november/spanish_rugby_going_forward_12494,7716.html SPANISH RUGBY GOING FORWARD]
*[http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story_Listing/0,18261,3968_,00.html Spanish rugby union news on Planet Rugby]
*[http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story_Listing/0,18261,3968_,00.html Spanish rugby union news on Planet Rugby]
*{{fr}} [http://www.lestimbresdurugby.com/Archivesdurugby/Pays/Espagne.htm Archives du Rugby: Espagne]
*{{in lang|fr}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20080604093331/http://www.lestimbresdurugby.com/Archivesdurugby/Pays/Espagne.htm Archives du Rugby: Espagne]


{{Rugby union in Spain}}
{{Rugby union in Spain}}
{{Rugby union in}}
{{Women's Rugby World Cup Unions}}
{{Rugby union in Europe}}
{{Rugby union in Europe}}
{{Sport in Spain}}

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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2011}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Rugby Union In Spain}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rugby Union In Spain}}

Latest revision as of 23:18, 9 July 2024

Rugby union in Spain
Spain (in blue kit) playing Portugal
in March 2009
CountrySpain
Governing bodySpanish Rugby Federation
National team(s)Spain
First played1901; 124 years ago (1901)
Registered players37,241
Clubs332
National competitions
Club competitions

Rugby union is a growing team sport in Spain. As of 2019, there were 37,241 registered rugby union players in Spain, playing for 332 clubs in various divisions. The sport's governing body in Spain, the Spanish Rugby Federation (Spanish: Federación Española de Rugby), was founded in 1923. It joined the International Rugby Board in 1988,[1] and is also a member of Rugby Europe.

There are traditionally four main rugby playing regions in Spain: the capital Madrid, the city of Valladolid in the Old Castile region, the entire regions of Basque Country, and Catalonia, particularly in the north and also around Barcelona.[1] Rugby has been emerging recently in Valencia and Andalucia as well, with clubs like Marbella or CAU Valencia providing several players to the national team.

The Spanish national team plays in the Rugby Europe Championship, a competition for second tier European rugby nations such as Georgia, Romania and Russia. Spain is ranked 18th in the world, and played at the 1999 Rugby World Cup. The national sevens team is now one of the 15 "core teams" that participate in each event of the annual World Rugby Sevens Series, having earned that status at the 2017 Hong Kong Sevens. Both men and women rugby sevens national teams qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games.

History

[edit]

Rugby was first introduced into Spain before World War I.[1] However, subsequent events such as the Spanish Civil War hindered its development.[citation needed]

Early history

[edit]

The earliest recorded game in Spain was in 1901, when an Englishman, Stuart Nicholson, resident in Bilbao,

"turned to Racing Club, when he wanted eye catching opposition for a three team tournament, also involving British and French exiles in Barcelona."[2]

However, rugby lay largely dormant in the country until after the end of World War I, when rugby was reintroduced into Spain from the south of France, particularly Provence and the French Basque Country. In 1921, Baudilio Aleu Torres, a Catalan, who had been studying veterinary medicine in Toulouse, returned to his native Barcelona, and founded the Santboiana Club there.[3] Santboiana's pitch was cleared by the players themselves, and according to Huw Richards, "a tree was tolerated and used as a coat hanger, until it was uprooted after a few games."

The Spanish Rugby Federation, the governing body for rugby union in Spain, was founded in 1923.

The first game in Madrid was in the 1920s as well, when Biarritz and Tarbes played an exhibition match in front of 12,000 spectators.[3] The score upset some of the fans, who protested by throwing cushions onto the pitch.[3]

A Spanish XV played France, including Yves du Manoir, in 1927, but it was organised by a rebel governing body, and so is not usually recognised as a proper international game.[3]

Spain's first recognised international was in 1929, against Italy, in Barcelona, at Montjuïc Stadium, as part of the 1929 Expo.[3] The Spanish royal family attended and all of the players were Catalan.[3] Spain won 9–0.[3]

Post-war period

[edit]

In 1960, a French priest, Father George Bernés,[4] introduced the game in Valladolid, Castile and León, leading to the creation of two of that region's clubs: Cetransa El Salvador and Valladolid RAC.

Spain's international record includes wins over Italy in 1977 and Romania in 1992 and 1994.[5][6]

With the thawing of relations between the UK and Spain over the Gibraltar question, rugby union in Gibraltar has become more closely linked with its Spanish neighbours.[7] When the border between Spain and Gibraltar reopened, after having been closed between 1968 and 1985, a number of games were played against sides from Seville and Madrid.[8] Campo Gibraltar RFC now play in the Andalucian second division.[8]

In 1989, the Spanish women's team played their first match, against France, losing 0-28. In 2000, they joined the Women's Six Nations, but in 2007, the tournament was altered so that Italy replaced Spain, in order to mirror the men's tournament.

Present day

[edit]
Estadio Anoeta before redevelopment in May 2017.

In more recent times, thanks to the influx of expatriates, a fifth "region" has opened up along the beach resorts on the Mediterranean coast, the Canary Islands and Balearics. In these areas, however, local people rarely participate, the exception being the Marbella Rugby club on the Costa Del Sol, whose members are an equal mix of expatriates from the UK, South America and locals. The success of this policy is displayed by the progress of their junior teams, recently reaching the final of the national club championships in 2010, thus giving them the title of second best side in the country in 2010 and then going on to win the club championship in May 2011, to become the best U16 club side in Spain. The Marbella players also make up the majority of the regional Andalucian team which participate at national level. A number of juniors from this region have been selected for regional as well as national teams. The Torrevieja rugby club on the Costa Blanca also has a similar composition of players. Beach rugby has become popular in many areas, as has rugby sevens. There are several rugby sevens tournaments in the country, including the Benidorm Sevens.

In recent years, Estadio Anoeta in the Basque Country has also been used for occasional Heineken Cup rugby union fixtures by nearby French-Basque club Biarritz Olympique (BO). In the 2009–10 Top 14 season, both Biarritz and fellow Basque club Bayonne will take one home match to the Anoeta. On 21 August, Bayonne will host Stade Français at the Anoeta, followed on 12 September by the Northern Basque derby between Biarritz and Bayonne, with BO as the home team. The stadium, which holds 32,076, was inaugurated in 1993.[needs update]

Spain continues to be popular with touring sides from Britain, Ireland and France, due to its climate and good transport links.[9]

In playing standard, Spain occupies the second tier in Europe, along with Romania and Georgia.[1]

Popularity

[edit]
Under-8 players at Club de Rugby San Roque, November 2007

There are over 51,123 registered rugby union players in Spain, with more than 221 clubs across the country. Participation rates for rugby union jumped by 20% in the Madrid area during the two years following the national team's participation in their first ever Rugby World Cup in 1999. In addition, funding from the Spanish sports council has also been on the rise. Rugby union gets low media coverage, however, compared to more popular team sports such as association football and basketball.

There are pockets where rugby is particularly popular, such as the city of Valladolid in the Castile and León region, Sant Boi de Llobregat in Catalonia and Ordizia in the Basque country. The rugby club Biarritz Olympique, who come from the French Basque Country have played Heineken Cup matches at the 32,000-seat Estadio Anoeta in San Sebastián, Spain and attracted sell-out crowds.

On 4 November 2014, France's professional rugby union league announced that the 2015–16 Top 14 final would be held at the Camp Nou in Barcelona on 24 June 2016.[10] The Top 14 final is traditionally held at the Stade de France in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis. However, the scheduling of the 2015 Rugby World Cup will cause the 2015–16 French season to be shifted by several weeks, in turn causing the Stade de France to be unavailable because it will be a major venue for UEFA Euro 2016.[11] Holding the event in Barcelona may potentially boost the sport's popularity in that area.

On 17 April 2016, in what is considered by many a milestone in the increasing popularity of rugby in Spain,[12] a crowd of 26,500 attended to the Copa del Rey de Rugby final at Estadio Nuevo José Zorrilla in Valladolid. This was the 6th time that this stadium was sold out since its inauguration in 1982, including football matches.[13] Tickets were sold out days before the match and prices rose in the Internet touting.[14] King Felipe VI of Spain and prominent politicians like Spanish Socialist Workers' Party leader Pedro Sánchez and vice president Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría attended the match.[15]

National team

[edit]
Main article: Spain national rugby union team
See also: Spain at the Rugby World Cup
Spain playing the Czech Republic (2007)

The Spain national rugby union team represents the whole country and have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s. Their first match was in 1929 against Italy, which Spain won 9–0.

Spain has thus far made one Rugby World Cup appearance, in 1999. They were grouped in Pool A, alongside South Africa, Scotland and Uruguay. South Africa and Scotland defeated Spain by 40 points, and they also lost to Uruguay, though it was a closer contest.

Competitions

[edit]

The Spanish rugby union league is divided into divisions. The top teams play in the División de Honor. In each division, a team plays all other teams twice, once at home and once away. The Spanish league teams compete in a domestic cup competition each year, called the Copa del Rey. The winners of the División de Honor de Rugby (Honor Division) play the winners of the Copa del Rey in the Supercopa de España de Rugby (Super Cup). The champion of the División de Honor earns a spot in the Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition.

Divisions

[edit]

Other competitions

[edit]

Vocabulary

[edit]

French rugby vocabulary has been a strong influence on that of Spain. There are, however, substantial differences between South American Spanish terms and those of Spain. In South America, a combination of Spanish and English position names is used, because rugby was introduced there directly from England after these countries became independent from Spain.

English French Italian Spanish (Spain) Spanish (South America)
Prop Pilier Pilone Pilar, Pilier Pilar
Hooker Talonneur Tallonatore Talonador Hooker
Lock (Second Row) Deuxième Ligne Seconda Linea Segunda Línea Segunda Línea
Flanker (Wing Forward) Troisième Ligne Aile Terza (linea) ala
Flanker		 Tercera Línea, Flanker Tercera Línea, Ala
Number eight Troisième Ligne Centre Terza linea media
Terza (linea) centro
Numero 8		 Tercera Línea Centro u "Ocho" Octavo, Ocho, Tercera Línea
Scrum half Demi de mêlée Mediano di mischia Medio melé Medio Scrum
Fly-half (Stand-off) Demi d'ouverture, Ouvreur Apertura
Mediano d'apertura		 Apertura, Medio de Apertura Apertura, Medio Apertura
Centre Centre Centro (Primo e Secondo)
Tre quarti centro		 Centro (Primero y Segundo) In-side (Primero y Segundo), Centro
Wing (Left and Right) Ailier Ala
Tre quarti ala		 Ala (Izquierda y Derecha) Wing (Izquierdo y Derecho)
Full-back Arrière Estremo Zaguero Fullback

Notable players

[edit]

The Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem played for the under-16 and under-18 squads and briefly for the senior national team.[16][17] Bardem was originally a flanker, but became a prop, and has been quoted as saying, "being a rugby player in Spain is akin to being a bullfighter in Japan."[17]

Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem is one of the best-known Spanish rugby players

Other notable Spanish players include -

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bath p74
  2. ^ Richards, Chapter 4, Between Schism and War, p102
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Richards, Chapter 6, Gathering Storms, p129
  4. ^ (in Spanish) "El Salvador, del patio del colegio a Europa en 50 años" ABC. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  5. ^ Richards, Chapter 11, Triumph of the Welfare State Rugby Player, p204
  6. ^ Richards, Chapter 13, Resisting the Inevitable, p235
  7. ^ Bath p67
  8. ^ a b "医療費を抑えるために出来ることとは". 31 January 2019.
  9. ^ European Rugby, retrieved 19 August 2009
  10. ^ "La Finale 2016 du TOP 14 au Camp Nou, à Barcelone !" (Press release) (in French). Ligue nationale de rugby. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  11. ^ "Barcelona confirmed as host of 2016 Top 14 final". ESPN Scrum. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  12. ^ "El Rugby está de moda" (Press release) (in Spanish).[permanent dead link‍]
  13. ^ "Valladolid ofrece una pista de despegue al rugby español" (Press release) (in Spanish).
  14. ^ "La reventa de entradas de la Copa del Rey de Rugby "hace su agosto" en internet" (Press release) (in Spanish).
  15. ^ "Don Felipe, Sáenz de Santamaría y Sánchez se reúnen el domingo... para jugar al rugby" (Press release) (in Spanish).
  16. ^ Pierce, Nev. "Interview with Javier Bardem". BBC. Retrieved 12 October 2007.
  17. ^ a b Famous Ruggers by Wes Clark and others, retrieved 19 August 2009

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
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