Stade Toulousain () (), also referred to as Toulouse, is a professional

rugby union Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that orig ...

club based in

Toulouse Toulouse (, ; ; ) is a city in southern France, the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Haute-Garonne department and of the Occitania (administrative region), Occitania region. The city is on the banks of the Garonne, River Garonne, from ...

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

. They compete in the

Top 14 The Top 14 () is a professional rugby union club competition that is played in France. Created in 1892, the Top 14 is at the top of the national league system operated by the National Rugby League (France), France National Rugby League, also ...

, France's top division of rugby, and the

European Rugby Champions Cup The European Rugby Champions Cup (known as the Investec Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons) is an annual rugby union tournament organised by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR). It is the top-tier competition for clubs who compete in a pr ...

. Toulouse is the most successful club in Europe, having won the

Heineken Cup The European Rugby Champions Cup (known as the Investec Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons) is an annual rugby union tournament organised by European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR). It is the top-tier competition for clubs who compete in a pre ...

/European Rugby Champions Cup a record six times – in

1996 1996 was designated as: * International Year for the Eradication of Poverty Events January * January 8 – A Zairean cargo plane crashes into a crowded market in the center of the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ...

2003 2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater. In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War. Demographic ...

2005 2005 was designated as the International Year for Sport and Physical Education and the International Year of Microcredit. The beginning of 2005 also marked the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Internationa ...

2010 The year saw a multitude of natural and environmental disasters such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the 2010 Chile earthquake. The 2009 swine flu pandemic, swine flu pandemic which began the previous year ...

2021 Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple Variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued ...

and

2024 The year saw the list of ongoing armed conflicts, continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), Myanmar civil war, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudane ...

. They were also runners-up in

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and Its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...

and

2008 2008 was designated as: *International Year of Languages *International Year of Planet Earth *International Year of the Potato *International Year of Sanitation The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...

against London Wasps and

Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...

, respectively. Stade Toulousain have also won a record 23 Boucliers de Brennus, the French domestic league trophy. It is traditionally one of the main providers for the French national team and its youth academy is one of the best in the world. Stade Toulousain also have the biggest fan base in Europe, and the biggest social media and brand presence of any non-national rugby team across both league and union. Their home ground is the

Stade Ernest-Wallon The Stade Ernest-Wallon (; ; ) is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Sept Deniers district of Toulouse, in southwestern France. Described as a "temple to the oval ball", it is the home ground for the rugby union club Stade Toulousain and t ...

. However, big Top 14 matches along with European games are often played at the Stadium Municipal de Toulouse. The club colours are

red Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–750 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a seconda ...

black Black is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''P ...

and

white White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

History

Roots and foundation

Before 1907, rugby union in

was only played in schools or universities. In 1893, students of secondary school "Lycée de Toulouse" got together in a new team "Les Sans-Soucis". Once attending university, the same students founded "l'Olympique Toulousain", which became "Stade Olympien des Étudiants de Toulouse" (SOET) a few years later in 1896. In the same period, 'non-students' grouped in "le Sport Athlétique Toulousain" (SAT) while students of the

veterinary school Veterinary education is the tertiary education of veterinarians. To become a veterinarian, one must first complete a degree in veterinary medicine Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM, V.M.D., BVS, BVSc, BVMS, BVM etc.). In the United States and C ...

created "l'Union Sportive de l'École Vétérinaire" (USEV). Both entities merged in 1905 and called themselves "Véto-Sport". Finally in 1907, Stade Toulousain was founded resulting from a union between the SOET and Véto-Sport. Since its creation in 1907, Stade Toulousain drew on the past of the city. The design of Stade Toulousain's crest refers to the initials of

Thomas Aquinas Thomas Aquinas ( ; ; – 7 March 1274) was an Italian Dominican Order, Dominican friar and Catholic priest, priest, the foremost Scholasticism, Scholastic thinker, as well as one of the most influential philosophers and theologians in the W ...

( in French ; S and T, same as the club's name) whose bones rest in the

Church of the Jacobins The Church of the Jacobins is a deconsecrated Roman Catholic church located in Toulouse, France. It is a large brick building whose construction started in 1230, and whose architecture influenced the development of the ''Gothique méridional'' (S ...

, in Toulouse. The interlaced letters came from a famous tiled floor of the

Basilica of Saint-Sernin The Basilica of Saint-Sernin (Occitan language, Occitan: ''Basilica de Sant Sarnin'') is a church in Toulouse, France, the former abbey church (building), church of the Abbey of Saint-Sernin or St Saturnin. Apart from the church, none of the abbe ...

, where the relics were temporarily moved for almost two centuries after the French Revolution. The historical colours, red and black, are rooted in the ceremonial costume of the capitouls of Toulouse. A municipal body created in 1147, the capitouls were until the French Revolution the consuls of the city. Their traditional costume was red and black (with white

bands Bands may refer to: * Bands (song), song by American rapper Comethazine * Bands (neckwear), form of formal neckwear * Bands (Italian Army irregulars) Bands () was an Italian military term for Irregular military, irregular forces, composed of nati ...

), as shown in the oldest portraits dating from the 14th century.

Early years

Stade Toulousain played its first final of the national title

French Championship The French rugby league championship () was the top tier of the French rugby league system from its inception in 1934 until 2002 when the league was split into two divisions; the Elite One Championship and Elite Two Championship. In all seasons ...

in 1909 and lost it to Stade Bordelais Université Club (17–0) in

. In 1912 Stade Toulousain won its first national title. It had to wait until 1922 before it won its second. However the 1920s were a golden era for the club. Their first final action in the 1920s was in 1921, when they were defeated by

USA Perpignan Union Sportive Arlequins Perpignanais, also referred to as USA Perpignan or Perpignan, is a French professional rugby union club founded in 1933 and based in Perpignan, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. They compete in the Top 14, France' ...

. Despite losing in 1921, the side went on to win the 1922, 1923, 1924, 1926 and 1927 championships.

1930s to 1950s

The following decades were relatively quiet after such a dominant era during the 1920s. Stade Toulousain would not make it to any grand finals during the 1930s, and it would not be until the late 1940s when they would return. However they did contest the

Challenge Yves du Manoir The Challenge Yves du Manoir was a rugby union club competition that was played in France between 1931 and 2003 under different names. It is named after former player Yves du Manoir. History The Challenge Yves du Manoir was officially created on ...

with RC Toulon in 1934, though it ended in a nil-all tie and both teams were winners. The club made it to the final of the 1947 championship, and claimed the premiership, beating

SU Agen Sporting Union Agen Lot-et-Garonne (), commonly referred to as SU Agen, Agen () or SUALG, is a French professional rugby union club based in Agen, Lot-et-Garonne that competes in the Pro D2, France's second division of rugby. Founded in 1908, ...

, 10 to 3. However, no such championships followed, the club was again relatively quiet on the championship. It was 22 years in the waiting; Toulouse made it to the final, but were defeated by the

CA Bègles CA most often refers to: * Canada, a country by ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code * California, U.S. state by postal abbreviation CA or ca may also refer to: Businesses and organizations Companies * Air China (IATA airline code CA) * CA Technologies, a U ...

club.

1970s to 1980s

In 1971 Toulouse contested the

against

US Dax Union Sportive Dax Rugby Landes, also known as US Dax, is a French rugby union club currently playing in Pro D2, the second level of the French league system. They were founded in 1904. They play at Stade Maurice Boyau (capacity 16,170). They w ...

, losing 18 to 8. Eleven years after the CA Bègles defeat, the club was again disappointed in the final, being defeated by AS Béziers in the championship game of 1980. The latter end of the decade was however, reminiscent of the 1920s sides. Toulouse were again contesting the Challenge Yves du Manoir for the 1984 season, though they lost to

RC Narbonne Racing Club de Narbonne Méditerannée (also known as RCNM) is a French rugby union club that play in the third-level Nationale. They are based in Narbonne in the Aude '' département'' of Occitania. They were founded in 1907. They play at P ...

17 to 3. They did however claim their first championship since 1947, defeating

RC Toulon Rugby Club Toulonnais (), also referred to as Rugby Club Toulon or simply Toulon, is a French professional rugby union club based in Toulon and competing in the Top 14. Located on the French Riviera, in the Provence region, the club plays its h ...

in the 1985 final. The following season saw them successfully defend their championship, defeating

in the final. After a number of defeats in the Challenge Yves du Manoir finals, Toulouse defeated US Dax to win the 1988 competition. Both Toulon and Agen won the following premierships (1987 and 1988) but Toulouse won another championship in

1989 1989 was a turning point in political history with the "Revolutions of 1989" which ended communism in Eastern Bloc of Europe, starting in Poland and Hungary, with experiments in power-sharing coming to a head with the opening of the Berlin W ...

1990s to present

The dominance continued in the 1990s, starting with a grand final loss in 1991, and a

championship in 1993, defeating Castres 13 to 8 in the final. The mid-1990s saw Stade Toulousain become a major force yet again, as the club claimed four premierships in a row, winning the championship in

1994 The year 1994 was designated as the " International Year of the Family" and the "International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal" by the United Nations. In the Line Islands and Phoenix Islands of Kiribati, 1994 had only 364 days, omitti ...

1995 1995 was designated as: * United Nations Year for Tolerance * World Year of Peoples' Commemoration of the Victims of the Second World War This was the first year that the Internet was entirely privatized, with the United States government ...

and

1997 Events January * January 1 – The Emergency Alert System is introduced in the United States. * January 11 – Turkey threatens Cyprus on account of a deal to buy Russian S-300 missiles, prompting the Cypriot Missile Crisis. * January 1 ...

, as well as the Challenge Yves du Manoir in 1995. The club emulated its success in the

European Rugby Cup European Rugby Cup Ltd (or ERC) was the governing body and organiser of the two major European rugby union club tournaments: the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup. It was replaced by the European Professional Club Rugby governing body in 2 ...

, becoming the first ever champions in the 1995–96 season. Rugby ST

The late 1990s and the 2000s saw the club again reach great heights. The club won the Challenge Yves du Manoir in 1998, defeating Stade Français Paris, the 1999 championship as well as the 2001 championship. They also were runners-up in the 2003 season, losing to Stade Français in the final. As the club had done in the mid-1990s, Stade Toulousain replicated this success in the European Rugby Cup, winning the 2002–03 and the 2004–05 cups. The club made it to the final of the 2005-06 Top 14, and despite only trailing Biarritz 9–6 at half time, Toulouse could not prevent a second-half whitewash, eventually going down 40–13. They ended their seven-year title drought with a 26–20 win over

ASM Clermont Auvergne Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne () is a French professional rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes that currently competes in Top 14, the top level of the French league system. Clermont are two t ...

on 28 June 2008. In 2008 they narrowly lost a Heineken Cup Final to Munster by 3 points. In 2010 Toulouse defeated

Leinster Leinster ( ; or ) is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in the southeast of Ireland. The modern province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige, which existed during Gaelic Ireland. Following the 12th-century ...

to reach the

final Final, Finals or The Final may refer to: *Final examination or finals, a test given at the end of a course of study or training *Final (competition), the last or championship round of a sporting competition, match, game, or other contest which d ...

where they faced Biarritz Olympique at

Stade de France Stade de France (, ) is the national stadium of France, located just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis, Saint-Denis. Its seating capacity of 80,698 makes it the List of football stadiums in France, largest stadium i ...

in Paris on Saturday 22 May 2010. Toulouse won the game by 21–19 to claim their fourth

title, making them the first club to win the title four times. Stade Toulousain is also the only French club to have taken part in all the editions of

since its creation (17, with the 2011–12 season). They won the French championship in 2011 against

Montpellier Montpellier (; ) is a city in southern France near the Mediterranean Sea. One of the largest urban centres in the region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Montpellier is the prefecture of the Departments of France, department of ...

(15–10) and 2012 against

Toulon Toulon (, , ; , , ) is a city in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Located on the French Riviera and the historical Provence, it is the prefecture of the Var (department), Var department. The Commune of Toulon h ...

(18–12). Stade Toulousain reached the semi-finals of the French championship 20 consecutive years (from 1994 to 2013). In

2019 This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year. Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...

, Toulouse came back to victory, earning a 20th

French Rugby Union Championship The Top 14 () is a professional rugby union club competition that is played in France. Created in 1892, the Top 14 is at the top of the national league system operated by the France National Rugby League, also known by its French initialism ...

title before making an historic double, winning the 2021 Champions Cup and the 2021 Top 14. Their latest title is the 2023 French championship earned against

La Rochelle La Rochelle (, , ; Poitevin-Saintongeais: ''La Rochéle'') is a city on the west coast of France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime Departments of France, department. Wi ...

, teams were ranked respectively first and second of the regular season 2023. They won the champions cup for the 6th time after beating Leinster 31–22 at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and as a result became the highest ranked team in Europe

Stadium

Toulouse play their home games at the

, which was built in the late 1980s and was recently renovated. It has a capacity of 19,500. Stade Toulousain is one of the rare teams, in France and especially in rugby union, that own its stadium. Since February 2020, it has also been home to

rugby league Rugby league football, commonly known as rugby league in English-speaking countries and rugby 13/XIII in non-Anglophone Europe, is a contact sport, full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular Rugby league playin ...

team

Toulouse Olympique 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. The clu ...

, which currently competes in the 2nd tier

Championship In sport, a championship is a competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion. Championship systems Various forms of competition can be referred to by the term championship. Title match system In this sys ...

, following negotiations and an agreement between both executive boards. The stadium however cannot always accommodate all the fans of the Toulouse club. For the larger fixtures, such as championship or Champions Cup games or play-offs, the fixture may be moved to

Stadium de Toulouse Stadium de Toulouse, previously named Stadium Municipal, is the largest multi-purpose stadium in Toulouse, France. It is currently used mostly for football matches, mainly those of the Toulouse Football Club, as well as rugby matches for Stade ...

, which has more capacity, 33,150. The stadium was used for numerous matches at the

2007 Rugby World Cup The 2007 Rugby World Cup () was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by F ...

and will host the

2023 Rugby World Cup The 2023 Rugby World Cup () was the tenth men's Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for national rugby union teams. It took place in France from 8 September to 28 October 2023 in nine venues across the country. The opening game ...

Honours

** Champions (6):

** Runners-up (2):

* French championship Top 14 ** Champions (23):

1912 This year is notable for Sinking of the Titanic, the sinking of the ''Titanic'', which occurred on April 15. In Albania, this leap year runs with only 353 days as the country achieved switching from the Julian to Gregorian Calendar by skippin ...

1922 Events January * January 7 – Dáil Éireann (Irish Republic), Dáil Éireann, the parliament of the Irish Republic, ratifies the Anglo-Irish Treaty by 64–57 votes. * January 10 – Arthur Griffith is elected President of Dáil Éirean ...

1923 In Greece, this year contained only 352 days as 13 days was skipped to achieve the calendrical switch from Julian to Gregorian Calendar. It happened there that Wednesday, 15 February ''(Julian Calendar)'' was followed by Thursday, 1 March ' ...

1924 Events January * January 12 – Gopinath Saha shoots Ernest Day, whom he has mistaken for Sir Charles Tegart, the police commissioner of Calcutta, and is arrested soon after. * January 20–January 30, 30 – Kuomintang in Ch ...

1926 In Turkey, the year technically contained only 352 days. As Friday, December 18, 1926 ''(Julian Calendar)'' was followed by Saturday, January 1, 1927 '' (Gregorian Calendar)''. 13 days were dropped to make the switch. Turkey thus became the ...

1927 Events January * January 1 – The British Broadcasting ''Company'' becomes the BBC, British Broadcasting ''Corporation'', when its Royal Charter of incorporation takes effect. John Reith, 1st Baron Reith, John Reith becomes the first ...

1947 It was the first year of the Cold War, which would last until 1991, ending with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Events January * January–February – Winter of 1946–47 in the United Kingdom: The worst snowfall in the country i ...

1985 The year 1985 was designated as the International Youth Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** The Internet's Domain Name System is created. ** Greenland withdraws from the European Economic Community as a result of a n ...

1986 The year 1986 was designated as the International Year of Peace by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands by separating from the Netherlands Antilles. ** Spain and Portugal en ...

1999 1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons. Events January * January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers. * January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...

2001 The year's most prominent event was the September 11 attacks against the United States by al-Qaeda, which Casualties of the September 11 attacks, killed 2,977 people and instigated the global war on terror. The United States led a Participan ...

2011 The year marked the start of a Arab Spring, series of protests and revolutions throughout the Arab world advocating for democracy, reform, and economic recovery, later leading to the depositions of world leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen ...

2012 2012 was designated as: *International Year of Cooperatives *International Year of Sustainable Energy for All Events January *January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins. * January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...

2023 Catastrophic natural disasters in 2023 included the Lists of 21st-century earthquakes, 5th-deadliest earthquake of the 21st century 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, striking Turkey and Syria, leaving up to 62,000 people dead; Cyclone Freddy ...

** Runners-up (7):

1903 Events January * January 1 – Edward VII is proclaimed Emperor of India. * January 10 – The Aceh Sultanate was fully annexed by the Dutch forces, deposing the last sultan, marking the end of the Aceh War that have lasted for al ...

1909 Events January–February * January 4 – Explorer Aeneas Mackintosh of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition escapes death by fleeing across ice floes. * January 7 – Colombia recognizes the independence of Panama. * Janu ...

1921 Events January * January 2 ** The Association football club Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, from Belo Horizonte, is founded as the multi-sports club Palestra Italia by Italian expatriates in First Brazilian Republic, Brazil. ** The Spanish lin ...

1969 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1969th year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' (AD) designations, the 969th year of the 2nd millennium, the 69th year of the 20th century, and the ...

1980 Events January * January 4 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter proclaims a United States grain embargo against the Soviet Union, grain embargo against the USSR with the support of the European Commission. * January 6 – Global Positioning Sys ...

1991 It was the final year of the Cold War, which had begun in 1947. During the year, the Soviet Union Dissolution of the Soviet Union, collapsed, leaving Post-soviet states, fifteen sovereign republics and the Commonwealth of Independent State ...

2006 2006 was designated as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. Events January * January 1– 4 – Russia temporarily cuts shipment of natural gas to Ukraine during a price dispute. * January 12 – A stampede during t ...

** Champions (4): 1934, 1988, 1993, 1995 ** Runners-up (2): 1971, 1984 *

French Cup The Coupe de France (), also known in English as the French Cup or less commonly as the France Cup, is the premier knockout cup competition in French football organised by the French Football Federation (FFF). It was first held in 1917 and is ...

** Champions (4): 1946, 1947, 1984, 1998 ** Runners-up (2): 1949, 1985 * Toulouse Masters ** Champions (2): 1986, 1990

European record

Bath Rugby v Stade toulousain Collapsed scrum Heineken Cup

*Toulouse qualified for the

in every season of that competition's existence (1995–96 to 2013–14), and played in the inaugural season of the replacement competition, the European Rugby Champions Cup. *The club have the best competition record in the Heineken Cup/European Rugby Champions Cup, having won the competition six times and having played eight finals, and was the first team to win over 100 games in the history of the competition. *Stade toulousain completed "the Double" (Heineken Cup/European Rugby Champions Cup-National Championship) 3 times (1995–1996, 2020-2021 and 2023–2024), a record in Europe. *

Vincent Clerc Vincent Clerc (born 7 May 1981) is a former France, French professional rugby union player who played on the Wing (rugby union), wing. Birth and early career Born in the city of Échirolles, suburb of the south of Grenoble (Isère), Clerc fir ...

is the second all-time top try scorer in Heineken Cup/European Rugby Champions Cup history, having scored 36 units.

Current standings

Selected presidents

* Ernest Wallon: 1907–12 * Charles Audry: 1912–30 *

Louis Puech Louis Puech (1 May 1851, in Gavernac, Bozouls, Aveyron – 15 July 1947, in Aubignac, Aveyron) was a député of the French Third Republic and Minister of Public Works in the second government of Aristide Briand from 3 November 1910 to 24 Feb ...

: 1944–51 * Jean Fabre: 1980–90 * René Bouscatel: 1992–2017 * Didier Lacroix: 2017- Bouscatel is the most successful president in the history of the club.

Selected former coaches

* Tom "Rusty" Richards: 1913 (as player/manager) * François Borde: 1928–30, 1934–38 * Roger Piteu: 1945–49 * Claude Labatut: 1971–76, 1976–80 *

Robert Bru Robert Bru (30 January 1931 – 9 May 2020) was a French rugby union coach. Biography Bru coached Stade Toulousain from 1980 to 1983 alongside Christian Gajan and Pierre Villepreux. He worked on screening and training young players within the cl ...

: 1980–83 * Pierre Villepreux: 1982-89 (coached along with Skrela between 1983 and 1989) *

Jean-Claude Skrela Jean-Claude Skrela (born 1 October 1949 in Colomiers, Haute-Garonne) is a former coach of the French national rugby union team. His son, David Skrela, is a French rugby union player and his daughter, Gaëlle Skrela, is a professional basketball p ...

: 1983-92 (coached along with Villepreux between 1983 and 1989) *

Guy Novès Guy Novès (born 5 February 1954) is a former French rugby union player and most recently coach of the French national team. Born in Toulouse, Novès, who played on the wing, was capped seven times for his country, and played with Stade Toulous ...

: 1988-90 (as assistant coach), 1993–2015 * Ugo Mola: 2015-

Current squad

The Toulouse squad for the 2024–25 season is:

Espoirs squad

Notable former players

Bath Rugby v Stade toulousain Yannick Jauzion Heineken Cup

The following are players who have represented their country, players who have won a title with the club, players who have played a sufficient number of games to go down in the club history or players who came from the academy and have made a significant career in another team: *

Patricio Albacete Patricio Albacete (born 9 December 1981 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine rugby union player. He currently plays for Stade Toulousain in the top level of French rugby, the Top 14 competition. He has also represented the national Argentina team, i ...

Omar Hasan Omar José Hasan Jalil (born April 21, 1971 in Tucumán) is an Argentine retired rugby union footballer. He last played for Stade Toulousain in the domestic French club competition, the Top 14. He has also played for Argentina, usually as a pr ...

Nicolás Vergallo Nicolás Vergallo (born 20 August 1983 in Rosario) is an Argentine rugby union footballer, currently playing in France for Lyon OU, Lyon. He plays at scrum-half. Career Club He played for Jockey Club de Rosario in Argentina between 2004 and 20 ...

* Alberto Vernet Basualdo *

Rory Arnold Rory Arnold (born 1 July 1990) is an Australian professional rugby union player. He played for the Stade Toulousain in the Top 14 competition, and has represented in test matches. His regular position is lock. Family and early life Rory Arno ...

* Luke Burgess * Tala Gray * Tom Richards *

Rob Andrew Christopher Robert Andrew (born 18 February 1963) is a former English rugby union player who as a fly-half played 71 Tests for England between 1985 and 1997. Since his retirement from playing he has held administration roles in both rugby and ...

Toby Flood Tobias Gerald Albert Lieven Flood (born 8 August 1985) is an English rugby union coach and former player. He is currently kicking and skills coach at Newcastle Falcons in Premiership Rugby. During his playing career his position was fly half ...

Rupeni Caucaunibuca Rupeni Caucaunibuca (; born 5 June 1980) is a retired Fijian rugby union footballer who last played professionally for Northland in the ITM Cup. His nickname was the "Bua Bullet" as he hailed from the province of Bua. Early years Caucaunibuca ...

Vilimoni Delasau Vilimoni Waqatabu Delasau (born 12 July 1977 in Sorokaba, Ba) is a Fijian former rugby union footballer. He played as a wing. His nickname is Delz. Early career He grew up in the Town of Ba and he played for Lautoka in the National Provinc ...

Semi Kunatani Semi Kunabuli Kunatani (born 27 October 1990) is a Fiji rugby union player. He plays for the Fiji sevens team and also the Tel Aviv Heat. He previously played for Top 14 side Castres and Top 14 side, Stade Toulousain and Premiership Rugby side ...

* Maleli Kunavore *

Timoci Matanavou Timoci Matanavou (born 8 July 1984 in Lautoka, Fiji) is a Fijian rugby union player. He plays as a wing. He plays for Stade Toulousain in the Top 14 competition. International Matanavou attracted the attention of Fiji Rugby Sevens team selectors ...

Akapusi Qera Akapusi Qera (born 24 April 1984) is a Fijian professional rugby union player. A Flanker or No.8. He is married to wife Phillipha Talei and together they have four children. Qera is also from a Christian sporting family; his father was an inte ...

* David Aucagne *

Benoît Baby Benoît Baby (born 7 September 1983) is a former French rugby union footballer. He usually played at centre, but also at fullback and fly-half and represented France. Baby made his ''début'' for the national team during the 2005 Six Nations, ...

* Jean Bayard *

Lionel Beauxis Lionel Beauxis (), born on 14 October 1985 in Tarbes (Hautes-Pyrénées), is a former French rugby union player who primarily played as a fly-half. Beauxis began his career at Section Paloise and went on to play for Stade Français, Stade Toulo ...

Franck Belot Franck Belot (born 18 March 1972, in Athis-Mons) is a former French rugby union player. He played as a lock. He played for Stade Toulousain. He won to win six titles of French Champion, for 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2001 and the first E ...

* Nicolas Bézy * Sébastien Bézy * Alexandre Bioussa * Jean-Marie Bonal * Eric Bonneval * Jean Bouilhou * François Borde *

Guillaume Boussès Guillaume Boussès (born 12 October 1981)
Scrum.com is a French

* Yannick Bru * Jean-Marie Cadieu *

Christian Califano Christian Califano (born 16 May 1972) is a former French rugby union player who finished his career at Gloucester Rugby. At the end of 2003, he had been capped 68 times for the France national team, which was the record for a French prop unti ...

Yacouba Camara Yacouba Mandingo Camara (born 2 June 1994) is a French rugby union player who currently plays for Montpellier in the French Top 14. His regular playing position is as a Flanker. Club career Camara made his debut for Toulouse in the 2013–14 sea ...

* Philippe Carbonneau *

Thomas Castaignède Thomas Castaignède (born 21 January 1975) is a rugby union footballer from Mont-de-Marsan. Born in Mont-de-Marsan, Aquitaine, Castaignède played as a junior and senior for Stade Montois in various positions, initially as fly-half or centre, ...

* Richard Castel * Jérôme Cazalbou *

Denis Charvet Denis Charvet (born 12 May 1962 in Cahors) is a former French rugby union player. He played as a centre. Denis Charvet played for Stade Toulousain and Racing Club de France. He earned his first national cap on 1 March 1986 against Wales at Car ...

André Chilo André Chilo (5 July 1898 – 3 November 1982) was a French rugby union player and athlete who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics. He was born in Bordeaux Bordeaux ( ; ; Gascon language, Gascon ; ) is a city on the river Garonne ...

* Albert Cigagna *

* Didier Codorniou * Patrice Collazo *

Cédric Desbrosse Cédric Desbrosse (born 9 November 1971) is a retired French rugby player. His usual positions was centre. He played for Stade Toulousain where he won top 14 and the Heineken Cup. He was selected for the 1999 Rugby World Cup and he made his fi ...

Yann Delaigue Yann Delaigue (born 5 April 1973) is a retired French international rugby union player. A highly talented player, nicknamed « Little Mozart », he played the first two matches of the 1995 Rugby World Cup. In 2001 he was part of the French Bar ...

Yann David Yann David (born 15 April 1988 in Lyon, France) is a French professional rugby union centre and winger currently playing for Castres Olympique in the Top 14. He is 1.85m tall and weighs 105 kg. David studied at the private school St.Jose ...

* Christophe Deylaud * Yves Donguy *

Jean-Marc Doussain Jean-Marc Doussain (born 12 February 1991) is a former French rugby union fly half. He played club rugby for Toulouse and Lyon and appeared 17 times for the French national side. He made his debut for France France, officially the French ...

* Sylvain Dupuy *

Thierry Dusautoir Thierry Dusautoir (; born 18 November 1981) is a French former rugby union player who last played for France at international level and Toulouse in the French Top 14 club competition. He was called the "Dark Destroyer" during his career. Dusautoi ...

Jean-Baptiste Élissalde Jean-Baptiste Élissalde (born 23 November 1977) is a former French Rugby Union, French rugby union player, playing either as a Scrum-half (rugby union), scrum-half or as a Fly-half (rugby union), fly-half, and most recently defense coach for Mo ...

* Jean Fabre *

Gaël Fickou Gaël Fickou (born 26 March 1994) is a French professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for Top 14 club Racing 92 and the France national team. Club career Fickou made his Heineken Cup debut on 14 October 2012, scoring the on ...

Jérôme Fillol Jérôme Fillol (born 10 February 1978, in Agen) is a French rugby player, who currently plays for Top 14 club Stade Français after signing from Racing Métro in 2011. His most famous involvement in rugby to date was on 6 April when he was accus ...

* Florian Fritz *

Pierre Fouyssac Pierre Fouyssac (born 17 March 1995) is a French rugby union player. He currently plays as a centre for Toulouse in the Top 14. Born in Lot-et-Garonne, he began his career with Agen before moving to Toulouse in 2018. Honours Toulouse *Top 14: ...

Gillian Galan Gillian Galan (born 7 August 1991) is a French rugby union player. His position is Number 8 and he played for Lyon in the Top 14 The Top 14 () is a professional rugby union club competition that is played in France. Created in 1892, the T ...

* Henri Galau * Xavier Garbajosa *

David Gérard David Gérard (born 26 November 1977 in Toulon), is a former French rugby union player. He played as a rugby union positions#Locks, lock. He started his career with RC Toulonnais. He also played with Stade Toulousain with which he won severa ...

Imanol Harinordoquy Imanol Harinordoquy (born 20 February 1980) is a French former rugby union player. He typically played as a number 8 for Stade Toulousain at club level in the Top 14 and for France internationally. Before signing with Biarritz ahead of the 2004 ...

* Dominique Harize * Cédric Heymans *

Yoann Huget Yoann Huget (; born 2 June 1987) is a former French rugby union player. He played as a wing or fullback. Career Club He started his rugby career playing for Stade Toulousain in the 2005–06 Top 14 season. He scored his first try in November 2 ...

Adolphe Jauréguy Adolphe Jauréguy (18 February 1898 – 4 September 1977) was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics. He was born in Ostabat-Asme and died in Toulouse. He played in nine Five Nations Championships: in 1920, ...

Yannick Jauzion Yannick Jauzion (born 28 July 1978) is a French former rugby union footballer. Raised in Vénès, Tarn he played at centre for Stade Toulousain and the France national team. During the 2000's, Jauzion was regarded as one of the best centres ...

* Nicolas Jeanjean *

Christian Labit Christian Labit (born 11 February 1971) is a French rugby player. He played for both RC Narbonne and Stade Toulousain and then moved to English club Northampton Saints. He was a member of France's 2003 Rugby World Cup squad. Whilst at Toulouse h ...

Virgile Lacombe Virgile Lacombe (born 7 July 1984 in Brou-sur-Chantereine, France) was a French rugby union footballer who usually played in the hooker position. He became a coach with Stade Toulousain after retiring. Career He started his career at Nîmes, but ...

* Serge Lairle * Gregory Lamboley *

Benoît Lecouls Benoît Lecouls (born 22 March 1978, in Agen) is a French rugby union footballer. He played for Biarritz Olympique in the Top 14 competition during the 2007/08 season, but has transferred back to Stade Toulousain during the close season. He usual ...

* Julien Le Devedec *

Matthieu Lièvremont Matthieu Lièvremont (born 6 November 1975 in Perpignan)Matthieu Lièvremont player profile< ...

Marcel-Frédéric Lubin-Lebrère Marcel-Frédéric Lubin-Lebrère (21 July 1891 – 7 July 1972) was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics. Typically playing as a prop forward, Lubin-Lebrère was also occasional deployed as a lock. Lubin-Lebrère ...

* Yoann Maestri *

Gérald Martinez Gérald Martinez (born 30 March 1955 in Montréjeau) is a retired French international rugby union scrum half for Stade Toulousain. Martinez made his international début for France in February 1982, against Wales, but would have to fight wi ...

Alfred Mayssonnié Alfred Mayssonnié (10 February 1884 – 6 September 1914), nicknamed Maysso, was a French rugby union player who appeared three times for the France national rugby union team, country's national team, and was also the first rugby international ...

* Maxime Médard * Maxime Mermoz *

Frédéric Michalak Frédéric Michalak (born 16 October 1982) is a French former rugby union player. His early career was spent playing for his hometown team, Toulouse, in the Top 14 and in the Heineken Cup. He moved to South Africa to play for the Sharks in the ...

* Romain Millo-Chluski * Hugues Miorin * Ugo Mola * Sylvain Nicolas *

Émile Ntamack Émile "Milou" Ntamack (born 25 June 1970) is a French former rugby union footballer. He played professionally for Stade Toulousain and France, winning 46 caps. Ntamack made his French debut against Wales during the 1994 Five Nations Championsh ...

Yannick Nyanga Yannick Nyanga (born 19 December 1983 in Kinshasa, Zaire) is a former professional rugby union player who played as a flanker for Racing 92 and France, and is also known for his long tenure at Toulouse. He was a part of the victorious French te ...

Alexis Palisson Alexis Palisson (born 9 September 1987) is a French rugby union footballer. He plays as a fullback (rugby union), fullback and wing (rugby union), wing. He is tall and weighs . Career He currently plays for US Colomiers, Colomiers in the Fre ...

Fabien Pelous Fabien Pelous (born 7 December 1973) is a retired French rugby union player. A lock who also occasionally played as a number eight and flanker, he played the bulk of his professional career for Stade Toulousain, and is the all-time leader in ...

Alain Penaud Alain Penaud (born 19 July 1969) is a French former rugby union player who held the position of fly-half. He was known for his vision of the game, his audacity and his ball carrying and played mainly for Brive, where he scored 449 points within ...

Louis Picamoles Louis Picamoles (born 5 February 1986) is a former French professional rugby union player who most recently played for Bordeaux Bègles in the Top 14. Picamoles's usual position was at number eight. Club career Picamoles began his club career ...

* Lucas Pointud *

Clément Poitrenaud Clément Poitrenaud (born 20 May 1982 in Castres, Tarn) is a former French rugby union footballer. His usual position is at fullback but he also plays at centre. He most recently played for South African side the in Super Rugby, having represen ...

* Jean-Baptiste Poux *

Jean-Pierre Rives Jean-Pierre Rives (born 31 December 1952) is a French former rugby union player and visual artist. "A cult figure in France", according to the ''BBC'', he came to epitomise the team's spirit and "ultra-committed, guts-and-glory style of play".

* Philippe Rougé-Thomas * Daniel Santamans * William Servat *

David Skrela David Skrela (born 2 March 1979) is a former French rugby union player. He most notably played for Stade Français and Toulouse in the Top 14 as well as the French national side as a fly-half or centre. He was renowned for his tackles and his k ...

* Cédric Soulette *

Nicolas Spanghero Nicolas Spanghero (born 21 October 1976) is a French rugby union player. He plays as a lock. He is nephew of former international, Walter Spanghero and Claude Spanghero. He represented Harlequins in the Guinness Premiership and now plays for Col ...

Walter Spanghero Walter Spanghero (born 21 December 1943) is a former French rugby union footballer. His father, Ferruccio Dante Spanghero, emigrated from Friuli, arriving in France in the 1930s to make a living as a bricklayer. He was a part of the France nation ...

Christopher Tolofua Christopher Tolofua (born 31 December 1993) is a French rugby union player who currently plays for Montpellier. His regular playing position is Hooker. Club career Tolofua made his debut for Toulouse against Connacht in Hcup. He was called as a ...

* Selevasio Tolofua *

Franck Tournaire Franck Tournaire (born 4 December 1972 in Narbonne) is a former French international professional rugby union player now playing amateur rugby for US Carcassonne. As a prop, Tournaire played for Narbonne, Toulouse, Leicester, Perpignan and Narb ...

* Pierre Villepreux * Jaba Bregvadze * Vasil Kakovin *

Leonardo Ghiraldini Leonardo Ghiraldini (born 26 December 1984) is a retired Italian international rugby union player. Ghiraldini's playing position is hooker. Club career Ghiraldini began his career with Petrarca Rugby in his home town of Padua before moving to Ru ...

Andrea Lo Cicero Andrea Lo Cicero Vaina (; born Catania, 7 May 1976) is an Italian rugby union footballer, who retired from playing in 2013. Born in Catania, Sicily, Lo Cicero began his professional career in the town of his birth with Amatori Catania. Later he ...

Salvatore Perugini Salvatore Perugini (born 6 March 1978 in Benevento) is a former Italian rugby union player. He made his debut for the Italian national team in 2000 against Ireland. Perugini usually played at prop. He previously played for Italian club Calvisano ...

Trevor Brennan Trevor Brennan (born 29 September 1973) is an Irish former rugby union player. He played for Barnhall, Bective Rangers, St Marys College RFC, Leinster, Stade Toulousain and Ireland, being capped 13 times. He played either in the second row or ...

Aidan McCullen Aidan McCullen (born 5 January 1977) is a businessman and retired Ireland national rugby union team player. He played as a back rower, principally at blindside flanker but also as an openside, no.8 and occasionally in the second row. He played f ...

* Corey Flynn * Hosea Gear *

Jerome Kaino Jerome Kaino (born 6 April 1983) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. In 2004, he was named IRB International Under-21 player of the year. In 2011, he was named the New Zealand Rugby player of the year, finishing ahead of Richie McCaw ...

Byron Kelleher Byron Terence Kelleher (born 3 December 1976 in Dunedin, New Zealand) is a former rugby union scrum-half who played for Stade Toulouse in the French Top 14 and has played 57 tests for the All Blacks. He was a very aggressive player, who special ...

* Isitolo Maka *

Luke McAlister Charles Luke McAlister (born 28 August 1983 in Waitara, New Zealand, Waitara) is a retired New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played at Fly-half (rugby union), fly-half and at Centre (rugby union), centre. He is the brother of New Zealand w ...

* Lee Stensness *

Neemia Tialata Neemia Stanley Tialata (born 15 July 1982 in Lower Hutt, New Zealand) is a New Zealand former rugby union footballer. He most recently played for RC Narbonne in the Pro D2. Tialata also previously played for Stade Toulousain in the Top 14. As wel ...

Charlie Faumuina Charles Chris Faumuina (born 24 December 1986) is a retired professional rugby union player who played as a prop for Top 14 club Toulouse. Born in New Zealand, he represented New Zealand and Samoa at international level. He qualified to play f ...

Dragoș Dima Dragoș Dima (born 16 June 1992 in Ploiești) is a Romanian professional tennis player. He has a career high ATP singles ranking of 279 achieved on 24 September 2018. He also has a career high ATP doubles ranking of 491 achieved on 06 May 2019. ...

Gaffie du Toit Gabriël Stephanus "Gaffie" du Toit (born 24 March 1976) is a South African rugby union footballer, who played 14 test matches for the national team, the Springboks, between 1998 and 2004. His usual position is at fly-half, though he has also p ...

Gary Botha Gary van Ginkel Botha (born 12 October 1981 in Pretoria, South Africa) is a former rugby union player, that professionally played as a hooker between 2002 and 2013. He spent the majority of his career at his home-town team the and their affil ...

* Daan Human *

Cheslin Kolbe Cheslin Kolbe (born 28 October 1993) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for Tokyo Sungoliath in the Japan Rugby League One and the South Africa national team. His regular position is wing, but he also plays a ...

* Shaun Sowerby *

Jano Vermaak Jano Vermaak (born 1 January 1985) is a South African rugby union golfer that holds the record for the most three putts in Paarl Cup history. He plays as a scrum-half for the in Super Rugby and in the Currie Cup. Vermaak previously represent ...

Gurthrö Steenkamp Gurthrö Garth Steenkamp (born 12 June 1981 in Paarl) is a former South African Rugby union player. He plays loosehead prop. Steenkamp had previously played for the Free State Cheetahs (Currie Cup) the Bulls and the Cats (Super 14). He made h ...

* Piula Faʻasalele *

Census Johnston Census Johnston (born 6 May 1981) is a former Samoan rugby union player. He has represented Samoa several times, and was in the Pacific Islanders' (combined Fiji, Samoa, Tonga) team which toured Europe in November 2006 and earned 6 Caps with En ...

Joe Tekori Iosefa Tekori (born 17 December 1983) is a Samoan rugby union international player. He currently plays for the Stade Toulousain in the Top 14 in France. He plays as a lock. Honours Castres *Top 14: 2012–13 Toulouse *Top 14: 2018–19, 20 ...

* Richie Gray * Edwin Maka * Finau Maka *

Stuart Krohn Stuart Krohn (born November 9, 1962) is an American former professional rugby union player. At the University of California, Santa Barbara, he was an All-American in 1986. In Hong Kong, he played for Valley RFC for eight years, as the team won ei ...

* Gareth Thomas

Fans

Bath Rugby v Stade toulousain Supporters of Stade toulousain Heineken Cup

Being one of the most popular teams in France, Toulouse has many fan clubs all over the country: Ovalion Stade Toulousain

* ''Le Huit'' (fan club of Stade toulousain based in

) * ''Le Huit Section Aveyron'' (branch based in

Aveyron Aveyron (; ) is a Departments of France, department in the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Southern France. It was named after the river Aveyron (river), Aveyron. Its inhabitants are known as ''Aveyro ...

) * ''Le Rouge et le Noir'' (formerly ''Les Ultras'', the oldest fan club based in

). * ''Le 16e homme'' (fan club of Stade toulousain based in

Haute-Garonne Haute-Garonne (; , ; ''Upper Garonne'') is a department in the southwestern French region of Occitanie. Named after the river Garonne, which flows through the department. Its prefecture and main city is Toulouse, the country's fourth-largest. ...

) * ''Le 16e homme Toulousains 2 Paris'' (branch based in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

) * ''L'amicale des Supporters'' (fan club of Stade toulousain based in

) * ''Tolosa XV'' (fan club of Stade toulousain based in

) * ''Les Salopettes Rouges'' (fan club based in Tarn) Toulouse supporters are known for being very active on social media. Stade Toulousain is the most followed rugby club on social media in the world, ahead

Crusaders The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and at times directed by the Papacy during the Middle Ages. The most prominent of these were the campaigns to the Holy Land aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and its surrounding ...

Sharks Sharks are a group of elasmobranch cartilaginous fish characterized by a ribless endoskeleton, dermal denticles, five to seven gill slits on each side, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the ...

and

Stormers The Stormers (known for sponsorship reasons as the DHL Stormers) and the academic team DHL Stormers is a South African professional rugby union team based in Cape Town in the Western Cape that competes in the United Rugby Championship, a tra ...

. It is the only rugby union club with at least 1 million followers on social media as of January 2024.

atmosphere is well known in France and Europe to be one of the best of club rugby. Toulouse can rely on a passionate city, having one of the best attendances in the league. The club's mascot, Ovalion, is a lion, animal which is the symbol of

Peugeot Peugeot (, , ) is a French automobile brand owned by Stellantis. The family business that preceded the current Peugeot companies was established in 1810, making it the oldest car company in the world. On 20 November 1858, Émile Peugeot applie ...

, main sponsor of the club.

References

External links

*
Data, Results etc on ITS Rugby
{{Authority control

Rugby clubs established in 1907 Multi-sport clubs in France

1907 establishments in France Sport in Toulouse