The 10 Best Club Rugby Derbies In The World
The 10 Best Club Rugby Derbies In The World
From Munster vs. Leinster to Toulouse vs. Castres, explore the 10 best club rugby derbies and the rivalries that define the sport’s fiercest matchups.
Rugby derbies are where history, identity and emotion collide.
Rooted in regional pride and decades, sometimes centuries, of competition, these matchups go far beyond league points.
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A derby is about neighbors and rivals, shared history and hard feelings, players who grew up dreaming of this fixture, and supporters who measure seasons by beating them.
From Europe’s oldest interprovincial clashes to modern professional power struggles, derbies capture rugby at its rawest: physical, passionate and unforgiving. Many players face teammates from international play, but here, they are competition.
Here are 10 of the biggest club derbies in the world:
United Rugby Championship Derbies
Here are best in the URC:
Glasgow Warriors vs. Edinburgh Rugby
First played in 1872, this is the oldest inter-city rugby fixture in the world.
The rivalry was formalized in 2007-2008 when a winter doubleheader was introduced to the URC schedule. The two matches determine who take home the 1872 Cup.
The derby remains central to Scottish rugby's identity.
Munster vs. Leinster Rugby
This rivalry dates back to the late 19th century and sits at the heart of Irish rugby’s provincial system.
Matches often feature the bulk of Ireland’s national squad and have shaped domestic titles, European campaigns and selection debates for generations.
DHL Stormers vs. Vodacom Bulls
This is a traditional Currie Cup rivalry between the Western Province and Northern Transvaal unions, first contested in the early 20th century.
The fixture reflects a long-standing contrast between Cape Town’s attacking style and Pretoria’s forward-driven approach.
Benetton vs. Zebre Parma
Italy’s only professional club derby emerged in the modern era with the creation of Zebre in 2012.
With many players moving between the squads, the fixture has become a key measuring stick for Italian rugby’s depth and development.
Gallagher PREM Rugby Derbies
Here are the best rivalries in Gallagher PREM Rugby:
Leicester Tigers vs. Northampton Saints
The East Midlands Derby began in the 1880s and is one of England’s longest-running club rivalries.
The short distance between the cities, and repeated clashes in league and knockout rugby, have kept the fixture fiercely competitive.
Bath vs. Gloucester Rugby
This West Country rivalry grew from regular meetings in the English county championships and later the Premiership.
Proximity, shared history and strong supporter traditions make it one of England’s most reliably intense fixtures.
Harlequins vs. Saracens
London’s leading professional rivalry took on greater significance in the Premiership era, as both clubs became consistent title contenders.
Repeated encounters in semifinals and finals have added real competitive weight to the matchup.
French Top 14 Rugby Derbies
Here are the best rivalries in the Top 14:
Toulouse vs. Castres
Clubs from the same Occitan region, their rivalry reflects both geographic closeness and contrasting rugby cultures.
Castres’ domestic success since the 2010s has turned this into a fixture with real regional consequences.
Stade Français vs. Racing 92
The Paris derby traces its roots to early 20th-century rugby, when both clubs were among France’s dominant forces. It represents the sport’s historical and commercial center in the capital.
Toulon vs. Montpellier
A southern rivalry that gained prominence as Montpellier rose to challenge Toulon’s dominance in the 2010s.
Frequent high-stakes league and playoff meetings have cemented its place in modern Top 14 history.
European Union Rugby Lives On FloSports And FloRugby
Rugby fans can stream every match from the Top 14, Gallagher Premiership and United Rugby Championship on FloRugby, along with the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, making the platform the U.S. home for the world’s biggest club competitions and the game’s top players.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
- United Rugby Championship
- PREM Rugby
- Top 14
- Investec Champions Cup
- EPCR Challenge Cup
- Currie Cup
- Super Rugby
- And more
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.