Founded in 1848 in the English town of Rugby, rugby is among the sports that enjoy the greatest popularity in France. And there’s a good reason: the country hosts a wealth of competitions, from the Top 14 and the Pro D2 to the Six Nations Championship... Less popular than rugby union, rugby sevens is the second-most played form of the sport in France, with rules that differ from those of traditional rugby union.
Games are therefore shorter (just 14 minutes of play versus 80 minutes in 15-a-side rugby), split into two 40-minute halves. In rugby sevens, matches are also more intense, with fewer players on a field of the same size, which means you need very different kinds of athletes.
Recognized as an Olympic sport since 2016, sevens rugby can be played in Paris and in Île-de-France at public stadiums with open access. Still, double-check the hours before you go, or better yet, head straight to the venue to learn more!
Otherwise, the simplest (and the best way to join a team and have a core group of teammates) is surely to train with a club! To do this, simply pay your annual license to the Fédération française de Rugby and join the team that best suits you, based on your age and/or your level.
In Paris (75)
In Hauts-de-Seine (92)
In Seine-Saint-Denis (93)
In Val-de-Marne (94)
In Val-d'Oise (95)
In Essonne (91)
In Seine-et-Marne (77)
Official website
www.ffr.fr
