The Coupe de France Lord Derby, or just Coupe Lord Derby, is the premier knockout competition for the sport of rugby league football in France, as well as the name of its championship trophy. The tournament was first contested in 1934–35, which also marked the inaugural season of the French Rugby League Championship.
Saint-Estève XIII Mavericks are a French Rugby league side based in Saint-Estève near Perpignan in the département of Pyrénées-Orientales. Originally known as AS Saint-Estève until 2000, the club was founded in 1965. Home games are played at the Stade Municipal.
Toulouse Olympique or TO XIII is a professional rugby league club in Toulouse, south-west France. Founded in 1937, two years after the French Rugby League Federation, the club is a six-time winner of the French Rugby League Championship.
Rugby league has been played in France since 1934. As with rugby union, rugby league was introduced by the English and the heartland of the game is in the south of France.
The British rugby league system is based on a nine-tier structure administered by the Rugby Football League.
Super XIII is the top level rugby league competition in France, sanctioned by the French Rugby League Federation. The season runs from September to April, which is in contrast to the majority of other major domestic rugby league competitions worldwide. The clubs play each other home and away then they enter into a play-off series culminating with a Grand Final. The competition was founded in 2002, as the Elite One Championship and renamed as Super XIII at the start of the 2024–2025 season. The competition is the continuation of the French Rugby League Championship, which began in 1934.
Elite 2 is the second tier semi-professional rugby league competition in France below Super XIII, but above the National Division 1. The season runs from September to April. The clubs play each other home and away before entering into a series of play-off matches resulting in a Grand Final. The winners can gain promotion to Super XIII providing they meet a minimum criteria. Occasionally the runners-up could be offered promotion.
National Division 2 is the fourth tier of rugby league in France, below the National Division 1. The season runs from September to April. The Division is split into 5 regional leagues, East, South 1, South 2, South-East, South-West and West. Clubs play each other home and away in their respective regional league with the top clubs progressing into a series of play-off matches to determine the champions. The champions can apply for promotion to the National Division 1. This tier was formerly known as the Federal Championship.
Baroudeurs de Pia XIII are a French Rugby league team based in Pia, Pyrénées-Orientales in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. SM Pia XIII was founded in 1960 and were national champions four times before they dropped out of the Elite 1 division after the 2012–13 season. Baroudeurs de Pia, who were formed in 1999, were a reserve team of SM Pia playing in the lower divisions and went dormant shortly after SM Pia had done so. When they were revived two years later they became the principal club in Pia. They play in the Super XIII the top level of rugby league in France. Home games are played at the Stade Daniel-Ambert.
Gratentour XIII are a French Rugby league club based in Gratentour, Haute-Garonne in the Midi-Pyrénées region. In the 2024–25 season, the club plays in the French National Division 2/3.
Pamiers-Vernajoul XIII are a French Rugby league club based in Pamiers, Ariège department, Occitanie region.
Lucas Albert is a French rugby league footballer who plays as a scrum-half or stand-off for AS Carcassonne in the Elite One Championship and France at international level.
Since the formation of Super League in 1996, the Rugby Football League (RFL) has continually expanded the top three divisions of rugby league in Britain with an aim to expand the competitions outside the traditional heartlands.
Palau XIII Broncos also known as Palau XIII or Palau Broncos are a professional rugby league team based in Palau-del-Vidre in the Occitanie region in the south of France. They currently play in the Elite 2 championship which is the second level in France. The club was founded in 1920. They play their matches at the Stade Georges Vaills.
Lambert Belmas is a French professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for Toulouse Olympique in the Super League and France at international level.
Arthur Romano is a French professional rugby league footballer who plays as a winger or centre for the Catalans Dragons in the Super League and France at international level.
Gavin Marguerite is a French former professional rugby league footballer who last played as a centre and winger for the Villeneuve Leopards in the Elite One Championship
The Georges Aillères French Cup is a French rugby league tournament. It is the league cup competition for Elite 2 teams.
The Elite 1 Wheelchair Championship is the highest level of wheelchair rugby league in France.
The Catalans Dragons Wheelchair Rugby League Football Club are a French wheelchair rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. The club competes in the Elite 1 Championship, the top tier of the French rugby league system.
