List of major rugby union competitions

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following is a list of major competitions in the sport of rugby union . International competitions for national teams as well as club and provincial teams as well as leagues and cup competitions in the most important rugby countries are taken into account. Also included are trophies for which individual national teams play as well as the most important tournaments in rugby 7 (the rules of which are practically the same).

Competitions for national teams

Surname Attendees first edition Events Remarks
Rugby Union World Cup 20 national teams (the twelve best from the previous World Cup plus eight qualifiers) 1987 every four years -
Women's Rugby Union World Cup 12 national teams 1991 every four years -
Six Nations England , France , Ireland , Italy , Scotland , Wales 1883 yearly Originally Home Nations Championships, after the admission of France's Five Nations, after the admission of Italy's Six Nations
Six Nations (women) England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales 1996 yearly Originally the Home Nations Championship , after the admission of France 1910–1931 and 1947–1999 Five Nations , from 2000 Six Nations (Spain was replaced by Italy in 2007)
The Rugby Championship Argentina , Australia , New Zealand , South Africa 1996 yearly Originally Tri Nations , after Argentina joined The Rugby Championship from 2012 .

During the tournament, the winners of the Bledisloe Cup , Freedom Cup , Mandela Challenge Plate and the Puma Trophy will be determined.

Canada Cup Canada and up to three other women's national teams 1993 every two years usually with USA plus England or New Zealand
Churchill Cup Canada , England Saxons, USA , three invited teams 2003 yearly England is represented by a reserve team, and most of the invited teams too
African Rugby Union Championship 16 national team from Africa 2000 multi-year event since 2019
Africa Women's Rugby Union Championship 4 national team from Africa 2019 yearly
Rugby Union European Championship 36 European national teams (including Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Israel) 2000 every two years Without a Six Nations participant, it lasts two years, divided into seven strength classes (Divisions I, IIa, IIb, IIIa, IIIb, IIIc and IIId / from 2010/2012 in Divisions Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, IIc, IId and III ). Serves as a World Cup qualifier in every 2nd execution.
European Women's Rugby Union Championship 16 European women's national teams 1988 yearly The number of participating teams varies, often divided into two strength classes, France and England are represented with reserve teams
Pacific Nations Cup Fiji , Japan , Junior All Blacks , Samoa , Tonga 2006 yearly replaced the Pacific Tri-Nations
Asian Five Nations five Asian national teams 2008 yearly unofficial Asian Cup. Serves as World Cup qualification in every 4th execution
Nations Cup France A, Italy A, Romania , Russia , Scotland A, Uruguay 2006 yearly -

Championships and cup competitions

International

Europe

Southern hemisphere

  • Super Rugby - International championship with teams from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and currently a team from Argentina.

Argentina

Australia

Germany

France

Great Britain

England

Scotland

Wales

Ireland

Italy

  • Pro14 - professional league in Italy, Ireland, Wales, South Africa and Scotland
  • Super 10 - professional league
  • Serie A - Amateur League
  • Serie B - Amateur League
  • Serie C - Amateur League
  • Coppa Italia - Cup competition

Japan

  • Top League - first-class professional league
  • Top Challenge League - second class semi-professional league
  • Microsoft Cup - trophy competition

Namibia

New Zealand

Oceania

Spain

South Africa

International trophies

7-a-side rugby