Rugby union in Algeria is a minor but growing sport. After many years of work, in 2015, Algeria finally created a federation enabling them to apply for member status of Rugby Africa (the administrative body for rugby union within Africa).
History
Rugby union was introduced into Algeria by the French. Some
Pied-Noirs
The ''Pieds-Noirs'' (; ; ''Pied-Noir''), are the people of French and other European descent who were born in Algeria during the period of French rule from 1830 to 1962; the vast majority of whom departed for mainland France as soon as Alg ...
(ethnic European Algerians) would go on to become significant rugby players, such as Maurice Boyau.
As with many minor rugby nations, rugby is centered on Oran, Guelma, Algiers,
Annaba
Annaba ( ar, عنّابة, "Place of the Jujubes"; ber, Aânavaen), formerly known as Bon, Bona and Bône, is a seaport city in the northeastern corner of Algeria, close to the border with Tunisia. Annaba is near the small Seybouse River ...
.
Like many North African countries, the historical connection with France is a mixed blessing. For a number of years, Algerian rugby players would leave to play there, which deprived Algerian rugby of any real competition.http://wesclark.com/rrr/islamic_rugby.html "Islam and Rugby" on the ''Rugby Readers review'' Retrieved 5 July 2009 There are at least sixty Algerians playing in English and French rugby. Like many other
Maghreb
The Maghreb (; ar, الْمَغْرِب, al-Maghrib, lit=the west), also known as the Arab Maghreb ( ar, المغرب العربي) and Northwest Africa, is the western part of North Africa and the Arab world. The region includes Algeria, ...
i nations, Algerian rugby tended to look to Europe for inspiration, rather than to the rest of Africa.
However, one exception might be
Boumedienne Allam
Boumedienne Allam (born Avignon, 19 November 1979) is a French-born Algerian rugby union player. He plays as a number eight.
After his young years at Apt (1994–1996) and Cavaillon (1996–1997), he became a famous figure as a RC Toulon pla ...
: Allam first played for
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
U-21 squad, winning the Six Nations Tournament of that category, in 2000. He was a member of the historical first game of Algeria national rugby union team, on 24 February 2007.
After independence, the first club created was Stade Oranais in Oran on 2007. Algerian federation was created on 2015 and the first championship started on 2018.
Clubs
Algeria has six rugby union clubs to date, and there are plans to set up a proper national club competition.http://www.latribune-online.com/sports/592.html They are currently trying to promote the game in universities and schools.
* Stade Oranais ( Oran)
* Rugby Club d'Alger ( Algiers)
* Mouloudia M'sila (
M'sila
M'sila (also spelled Msila) ( ar, المسيلة); is the capital of M'Sila Province, Algeria, and is co-extensive with M'sila District. It has a population of 132,975 as per the 2008 census. M'sila University is also located in this city.
Hist ...
)
* Rugby Club de Béjaïa ( Bejaia)
* Rugby Turck ( Aïn El Turk - Oran)
* Etoile de Biskra (
Biskra
Biskra ( ar, بسكرة ; ; Latin Vescera) is the capital city of Biskra Province, Algeria. In 2007, its population was recorded as 307,987. Biskra is located in northeastern Algeria, about 248 miles (400 km) from Algiers, 71 miles (115&n ...
)
For the 2017–18 season, these were the top teams:
National teams
Men's teams
*Algeria national rugby union team
The national rugby union team played its first unofficial game on 24 February 2007 under its first coach Morad Kellal. Almost all players play at French clubs, however there are some national players who practice the sport in Australia, New Zealand, Romania and England.
On 18 December 2015, the national team played its first official game since the creation of the Algerian rugby federation (FAR) against the Tunisian rugby union team, to which they won 16 - 6. This was also the first international match played on Algerian soil ( Oran), which was televised on the Algerian channel Canal Algerie in the country for the first time.
Ahmed Zabana Stadium
Ahmed Zabana Stadium ( ar, ملعب أحمد زبانة) is a multi-purpose stadium in Oran, Algeria. It is currently used mostly for football matches. It is the home ground of MC Oran. The stadium holds 40,000.Oran is the official venue of Algeria national team.
*Algeria national sevens union team
Women's teams
*Algeria women's national rugby union team
*Algeria women's national rugby sevens team