The passion for Rugby in the Pyrénées-Orientales

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One thing is certain: Rugby is deeply rooted into the Pyrenees-Orientales.

Rugby union or rugby league? … What's for sure, only in the Pyrenees-Orientales have they lived for this sport with such vibrancy. Local teams are followed passionately.
Firstly, of course, by the flamboyant supporters of USAP for rugby union, French Champions 2009 and The Catalan Dragons for rugby league.

USAP (union)

USAP has been very successful: USAP won the title of French Champions 2009, when the final of the TOP 14 opposed them to ASM Clermont-Ferrand at the Stade de France. A hard-won victory which the Catalans celebrated, jubilous with the arrival of the trophy, the Brennus shield …
The next USAP match.

The Catalan Dragons (league)

The Catalans Dragons (sometimes referred to as Les Catalans or the Dragons) are a professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales in the south of France. They play in the European Super League and, as UTC, the French Elite One Championship competitions and even though the club was only recently formed they have to date achieved a championship title in 2005 and two consecutive Lord Derby Cups in 2004 and 2005 as well as contesting the English Challenge Cup Final in 2007.

The club was founded in 2001 in Perpignan, France, under the name "Union Treiziste Catalan"; following the merger of the successful XIII Catalan club and close neighbours Saint Estève, and they continue to play in the French Championship under this name, which is often abbreviated to UTC.

They were granted admission into the European Super League, the highest tier of professional rugby league in Europe, in Super League XI, the 2006 season.

XIII Catalan were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship. AS Saint Estève were founded in 1965. Both teams were from Perpignan, in the Catalan region of France.

On 29 July 2007, the Dragons became the first French side and first non-English side to reach the final of the Challenge Cup.

Discover the site of the Catalans Dragons all information about this club: the schedule of upcoming games, past results, news, shop online for entry tickets, etc.

The Catalan dragons are the noble representatives of the Pyrenees-Orientales and France in the Super League, the English rugby league championship.

Rugby, here, is transmitted from father to son.

Rugby, here, is first of all, village rugby, a spirit of belonging, in a positive way, with its values, codes, respect for any form of courage … It is often a sport of family tradition; the grandfather, the father, the son and the grandson … whole families, who transmit and maintain this noble passion. Beware, the women are not left behind! Wives, mothers, supporters and players, they all go to the stadium with the same enthusiasm!

Yes, rugby, in the Pyrenees-Orientales, it really is a passion!