RUGBY IN THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG
The Luxembourg rugby team is the only national sports team to have been three times champions of their group in a European competition. In 2004, the National XV team has carry out a “Grand Slam” with 4 consecutives wins. |
 Rugby school1984 |
From September 2003, M Marty Davis is in charge of National Teams. His first matchs against Bosnie (away) and Lithuania (Home) in FIRA-AER European League were two success and give hopes for the future of our Seniors Team. In Spring 2004, two more victories against Bulgaria (Home) and Austria (away) put Luxembourg on top of the pool of the FIRA-AER Division 3B
The Rugby Club of Luxembourg was founded in May 1973 by a group of expatriates working in the Grand Duchy. Several of the founders still live in Luxembourg and contribute one way or another to the sport.
Today RCL is back to play in the Alsace-Lorraine French league after having spent 7 years in Belgium National 1st league. RCL missed the acceding to top division for one point, the RCL hopes a direct access to Regional top division this season 2004/05.
De Renert Walferdange was founded in 1990. In 2001, after 10 years in the Belgian league they finished top of the third division and champion during the season 2002/03. After one season in second Division, the club went down to third Division for one point. The goal of the season 2004/05 must be a return to the Belgium Second Division.
The Richard Mertens Club is a member of the European Community sports clubs and works mainly with the rugby school - mini-poussins up through to the juniors, about 100 youngsters in all. The school had a very successful past seasons – the benjamins did very well and the juniors represented Luxembourg in the world championships, winning group D by beating Switzerland in 98 and participating in top 32 in Wales in 99. The club now prepare the FIRA-AER U18 European championship with the group age born in 89/90.
Luxembourg has been a member of FIRA (Fédération internationale de rugby amateur) since 1976, two years after the founding of the FLR (Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Rugby). Our federation is ready to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2004. The Grand Duchy has participated several times in the FIRA championships and, despite its small size, has honourably acquitted itself. Luxembourg has also been a member of the IRFB (international Rugby Federation Board) since 1991.
The Luxembourg rugby team is the only national sports team to have been three times champions of their group in a European competition. In 1995, more than 20 points scored against Slovenia at Cessange and more than 20 points scored in Split against Croatia and finally an excellent draw against Andorra in Luxembourg enabled them to be champions of their group. In 1997 they won the Bronze Cup with wins against Bosnia, Bulgaria and Monaco. One should also note the fabulous match against Georgia a few years ago. But the best performance held is a “Grand Slam” in 2004 in FIRA-AER European Cup division 3B.
A major event in the development of rugby in Luxembourg was the appointment from 1996 to 2003 of Mr Francis SERRES as development officer. We know that Luxembourg will grow to appreciate rugby thanks to his efforts. Already he was instrumental in developing the junior side we sent to the World Championships in Toulouse and Cardiff, Easter 1998 and 1999. This team did a wonderful job in 2002, winning Denmark in Luxembourg by 12-10.
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