Czech Republic national rugby union team

Last updated
Czech Republic
Rugbyczech.jpg
UnionCzech Rugby Union
Head coachMiroslav Němeček and Pavel Pala
CaptainMarek Loutocký
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current35 (as of 16 January 2023)
First international
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia 5–21 Romania  Flag of Romania.svg
(22 May 1927)
Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 6–3 Czech Republic  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg
(15 May 1993)
Biggest win
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 95–5 Croatia  Flag of Croatia.svg
(7 April 2002)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 104–8 Czech Republic  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg
(18 May 1994)
World Cup
Appearances0
Website www.rugbyunion.cz

The Czech Republic national rugby union team is the third tier rugby national team of the Czech Republic.

Contents

They first started playing as the Czech Republic in 1993 after the split of Czechoslovakia and now compete in the European Nations Cup. They have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, but have entered the qualifiers since the 1995 edition. Rugby union in the Czech Republic is administered by the Czech Rugby Union. The sport is still amateur in the country, but there are several Czech players who are professionals in France, including Martin Jágr.

The best ranking in the world ranking was 24th place in 2005. The national side is ranked 36th in the world (as of 5 November 2019). [1]

History

In 2005, they took on Australian Super Rugby side the Waratahs in Prague, losing 3–94. [2]

The nation played against Hong Kong at the Synot Tip Arena in Prague on 16 December 2009. They won 17–5. It was the final match for six players: [3] Antonín Brabec, Jan Macháček, Jan Oswald, Pavel Syrový, Ladislav Vondrášek and Jan Žíla.

The Czech Republic were relegated from the European Nations Cup First Division to the Second Division in 2014, after finishing 6th in their group.

On 9 November 2016 The Czech Republic played in a historical match against the Barbarians to celebrate the Czech Rugby Union's 90th anniversary. The match was held at the Marketa Stadium in Prague. They lost the match to the Barbarians, 71–0. [4] [5]

Record

World Cup

World Cup record World Cup Qualification record
YearRoundPWDLFAPWDLFA
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 1987 Not InvitedPart of Czechoslovakia
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg IRFU flag.svg Flag of France.svg 1991 did not qualify
Flag of South Africa.svg 1995 520385188
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1999 410380105
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2003 650118971
Flag of France.svg 2007 10307164306
Flag of New Zealand.svg 2011 8314135142
Flag of England.svg 2015 10208142310
Flag of Japan.svg 2019 7601265104
Flag of France.svg 2023 Automatically eliminated
Total0/9000000502212710601226

European Competitions Since 2000

SeasonDivision G W D L PF PA +/− Pts Pos
2000 European Nations Cup Third Division 440011973+46121st
2000-01 European Nations Cup Second Division 5203132109+2395th
2003-04 European Nations Cup First Division 9306139263-124155th
2004-06 European Nations Cup First Division 10307164306-142165th
2006-08 European Nations Cup First Division 10001059506-447106th
2008-10 European Nations Cup Second Division 2A 8314135142-7153rd
2010-12 European Nations Cup First Division 1B 10406160217-57205th
2012-14 European Nations Cup First Division 1B 10208142310-168116th
2014-16 European Nations Cup Second Division 2A 8611192119+73322nd
2016-17 Rugby Europe Conference 1 North 440015826+132201st
2017-18 Rugby Europe Trophy 530293120-27123rd
2018-19 Rugby Europe Trophy 500559205-14616th
2019-20 Rugby Europe Conference 1 North 22001007+93101st
2021-22* Rugby Europe Conference 1 North 22007025+45101st

Overall

Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Czech Republic national XV at test level up until 29 March 2025, updated after match with Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania.

OpponentPlayedWonLostDrawn % Won
Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 321066.67%
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 10010%
Barbarians 10100%
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 733142.86%
Brown University1100100%
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 761085.71%
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 2200100%
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 80800%
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 927022.22%
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 1100100%
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 4400100%
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 430175%
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 10100%
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 4400100%
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 431075%
Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 5500100%
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 3300100%
Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 844050%
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 10100%
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 945044.44%
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 1568140%
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 1001000%
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 60600%
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 826025%
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 826025%
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 835037.5%
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 743057.14%
Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 10100%
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 1064060%
Flag of the United States.svg USA South 1100100%
Total1577182445.22%

Recent Matches

Matches played in the last 12 months

Current squad

Netherlands v Czech Republic. Match in Amsterdam, 20 Nov 2010. KABK-1761 Nederland v Tsjechie.jpg
Netherlands v Czech Republic. Match in Amsterdam, 20 Nov 2010.
Spain vs. Czech Republic 11 November 2007, Madrid. Campo Central Ciudad Universitaria3.JPG
Spain vs. Czech Republic 11 November 2007, Madrid.

The following players were selected for the 2021-2022 Rugby Europe Conference 1 North match against Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg on 27th November 2021. [6]

Head Coach: Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Miroslav Němeček

Caps Updated:

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player Position Date of birth (age)CapsClub/province
Tomáš Adámek Prop (1999-07-30) 30 July 1999 (age 25) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Mountfield Říčany
Hubert Dřímal Hooker (1996-05-03) 3 May 1996 (age 28) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Sparta Prague
Radek Novotný Prop (1999-08-08) 8 August 1999 (age 25) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Praga Prague
Robert Trefný Lock (1992-09-28) 28 September 1992 (age 32) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Mountfield Říčany
Jakub Homer Lock (1992-08-06) 6 August 1992 (age 32) Flag of France.svg Valence Romans Drôme Rugby
James Faktor Back row (1998-01-08) 8 January 1998 (age 27) Flag of England.svg Honourable Artillery Company
Vojtěch Vomáčka Back row (1994-10-16) 16 October 1994 (age 30) Flag of France.svg Saint Marcellin Sports
Dan Hošek (c) Number 8 (1995-12-08) 8 December 1995 (age 29) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Praga Prague
Marek Šimák Scrum-half (1992-01-13) 13 January 1992 (age 33) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Tatra Smíchov
Matyáš Hopp Fly-half (1991-10-03) 3 October 1991 (age 33) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Praga Prague
Sheldon Fortuin Wing (2002-11-28) 28 November 2002 (age 22) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Sparta Prague
Richard Hřebačka Centre (1997-03-22) 22 March 1997 (age 28) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Sparta Prague
Albert Froněk Centre (2001-11-28) 28 November 2001 (age 23) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Praga Prague
Jakub Čížek Wing (1997-01-01) 1 January 1997 (age 28) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Přelouč
Martin Cimprich Fullback (1999-03-05) 5 March 1999 (age 26) Flag of England.svg Honourable Artillery Company
Ondřej Kučera Prop (2000-11-30) 30 November 2000 (age 24) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Dragon Brno
Tomáš Stránský Hooker (1998-05-15) 15 May 1998 (age 26) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Mountfield Říčany
Václav Calta Prop (1999-12-11) 11 December 1999 (age 25) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Mountfield Říčany
Vlastimil Diviš Lock (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 24) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Praga Prague
Jan Tieber Centre (2001-11-18) 18 November 2001 (age 23) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Dragon Brno
Jan Kohout Wing (2000-10-18) 18 October 2000 (age 24) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Přelouč
Pavel Šíma ?? (2000-10-19) 19 October 2000 (age 24) Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Slavia Prague

Coaches

Czech (Czechoslovakia) coaches
NameNationalityYearsAssistantsTestsWonDrewLostWin %
Voska Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1931-10010
Rudolf Otto Bauše Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1933-20020
Kratochvíl Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1934-10010
Gustav Vlk Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1946–49-410325
Jiří Žižka Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1954Vladimír Škvor2200100
Vladimír Škvor Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1955-20020
Alfa Zeda Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1956Vladimír Škvor1001100
Miloš Dobrý Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1956–57-510420
Alfa Zeda Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1958–59-00000
Oldřich Pazdera Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1959–65-00000
Milan Pětroš Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1966–67-00000
Vladimír Vondráček Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1969–1972Viktor Šťastný00000
Vladimír Škvor Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1972–76-00000
Eduard Krützner Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1976–78-2200100
Milan Malovaný Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1979–81Bohumil Sláma00000
Milan Malovaný Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1982–83-00000
Milan Malovaný Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1984–88Jiří Kotlový00000
Milan Malovaný Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1988–1989Vilibald Hervert00000
Eduard Krützner Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1989–90Vilibald Hervert00000
Eduard Krützner Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1990–91Bruno Kudrna, Milan Buriánek00000
Bruno Kudrna Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakia1991–93Milan Buryánek00000
Bruno KudrnaFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 1993–95Milan Buryánek00000
Karel BerkaFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 1995–97Jaromír Kourek00000
Bruno KudrnaFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 1997–99Václav Horáček00000
Václav HoráčekFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 1999–Pavel Jágr00000
Jiří ŠťastnýFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 2001–2003Václav Čermák00000
Petr MichovskýFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 2003Michel Bernardin Flag of France.svg 00000
Michel BernardinFlag of France.svg  France 2003–2004 Jan Macháček 00000
Christian GalonierFlag of France.svg  France 2004–2005 Jan Macháček 00000
Josef FatkaFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 2005–2006Petr Michovský00000
Levan MgeladzeFlag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 2007 Martin Kafka, Jan Macháček 00000
Martin Kafka Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 2007–2008 Jan Macháček 00000
Christian GajanFlag of France.svg  France 2008–2009 Martin Kafka 00000
Martin Kafka Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 2010–2013Jan Oswald (2010–13), Tomasz Putra (2013)00000
Thomasz PutraFlag of Poland.svg  Poland 2014–2016Roman Šuster00000
Thomasz PutraFlag of Poland.svg  Poland 2016–2017Pavel Pala, Filip Vacek00000
Phil PretoriusFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 2017–2018Hein Kriek Flag of South Africa.svg , Daniel Beneš00000
Daniel BenešFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 2018–2019Miroslav Němeček, Roman Šuster03030
Miroslav Němeček & Pavel PalaFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 2019–2020000000
Miroslav NěmečekFlag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 2021–Jan Rohlík, Jan Čížek00000

Notable former players

  • Milan Mrtýnek
  • Petr Michovský
  • Pavel Bureš
  • Luděk Kudláček
  • Jiří Koutný
  • Miroslav Fuchs
  • Petr Skopal
  • Jiří Skall st
  • Jaromír Kourek
  • Bruno Kudrna
  • Karel Berka
  • Vlastimil Jágr
  • Václav Fanta
  • Zdeněk Mrazčínský
  • Barchánek

See also

References

  1. world.rugby. "Men's Rankings | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
  2. "Waratahs attract record crowd in Prague | Czech Rugby News Archive | Home | Rugby CZ". www.rugby.cz. Retrieved 2021-10-15.
  3. (in Czech) Loučení opor s národním týmem Archived 2010-01-04 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Barbarians entertain with 11-try win". Sport24.co.za. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
  5. "Barbarians crush Czech Republic". Planetrugby.com. 2016-11-09. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
  6. "Luxembourg vs Czech Republic Match Sheet" (PDF). Rugby Europe. 27 November 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.