{"id":384537,"date":"2026-01-01T10:49:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T10:49:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/384537\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T10:49:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T10:49:24","slug":"the-most-titled-rugby-clubs-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/384537\/","title":{"rendered":"The most titled rugby clubs in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the 2027 Rugby World Cup<\/a> on the horizon, it is worth asking who each of the 24 qualified countries\u2019 most successful club winners are.<\/p>\n

We carried out a broad search through the various champions and competitions, and these were the findings.<\/p>\n

PREM Rugby \u2013 Leicester<\/a> Tigers (11)
One of the youngest national leagues in Europe, PREM Rugby came into existence after 1987 and has been England\u2019s top division for 38 years.<\/p>\n

Leicester Tigers have won the most titles (11), with Bath (7) and Wasps<\/a> and Saracens (3) rounding out the top three.<\/p>\n

On June 14, Bath<\/a> beat the Tigers in front of more than 80,000 fans, ending a 29-year drought.<\/p>\n

AIL (Ireland) \u2013 Shannon RFC (9)
Before the AIL, the IRFU Interprovincial Championship was contested by Ulster (26), Munster (22), Leinster (22) and Connacht (3) from 1947 to 2002.<\/p>\n

With the rise of the Celtic League (now the URC), the Interpros were eventually replaced by the All-Ireland<\/a> League, which began in 1990.<\/p>\n

Shannon RFC have the most titles (9), followed by Cork Constitution (7) and Clontarf (4), who are the current Division 1 champions.<\/p>\n

Welsh Premiership (Wales) \u2013 Neath (7)
While Super Rygbi Cymru is now the main Welsh competition outside the URC, the Welsh Premiership held that position until 2024.<\/p>\n

Ten clubs won the Admiral Premiership between 1990 and 2024.<\/p>\n

\"rugbyRowland Philips of Neath runs with the ball during The Principality Cup Quarter Finals match against Bridgend played at Brewery Field, in Bridgend in 2001 (Dave Rogers\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Neath took seven championships, while Merthyr are the current holders after a dominant season.<\/p>\n

In Super Rygbi Cymru\u2019s first year, Newport beat Ebbw Valley to claim the new league title.<\/p>\n

Arnold Clark Men\u2019s Premiership \u2013 Hawick RFC (13)
Scotland\u2019s top flight has existed for 52 years, with Hawick remaining the most decorated club with 13 titles.<\/p>\n

Ten teams take part, and Ayr were the most recent champions, beating Watsonians in the 2024\/2025 final.<\/p>\n

Finn Russell, Mark Bennett<\/a>, Steve Munro, Gordon Reid<\/a> and Derrick Lee are among the notable players who have represented Ayr.<\/p>\n

URC \u2013 Leinster (9)
Although Ulster<\/a> lead the all-time Interpros, Leinster<\/a> have become the most successful team in the Celtic League\/Pro12\/Pro14\/URC era with nine titles since the competition began in the 2000s.<\/p>\n

The URC has expanded several times and now features franchises from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Italy<\/a> and South Africa, making it one of the world\u2019s most competitive leagues.<\/p>\n

After three years without a trophy, Leinster reclaimed their crown and remain the benchmark for the chasing pack.<\/p>\n

Top14 \u2013 Stade Toulousain (24)
The first French club competition kicked off in 1892 when Racing Club de France<\/a> edged Stade Fran\u00e7ais by a single point.<\/p>\n

The league paused only twice, during World War I and World War II.<\/p>\n

Stade Toulousain won their first Bouclier de Brennus in 1912 and have since added 23 more, giving them 24 titles in total.<\/p>\n

\"Toulouse'sThibaud Flament (2nd L), Toulouse\u2019s Scottish full back Blair Kinghorn<\/a> (2nd R) and Toulouse\u2019s English flanker Jack Willis<\/a> (R)\u201d width=\u201d1920\u2033 height=\u201d1080\u2033 \/> Toulouse\u2019s French lock Thibaud Flament (2nd L), Toulouse\u2019s Scottish full back Blair Kinghorn (2nd R) and Toulouse\u2019s English flanker Jack Willis (R) celebrate with the Bouclier de Brennus trophy after winning the French Top 14<\/a> rugby union final match between the Stade Toulousain (Toulouse) and Union Bordeaux-Begles (UBB) at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on June 28, 2025. (Photo by Julie SEBADELHA \/ AFP)<\/p>\n

Stade Fran\u00e7ais are next on 14, followed by AS B\u00e9ziers-H\u00e9rault with 11, though B\u00e9ziers have not won since 1984.<\/p>\n

Top10 (Italy) \u2013 Amatori Milano (18)
The Italian Top10 has changed its name seven times but remains a proud competition dating back to 1929. Amatori Milano dominated for decades and remain the most titled club with 18 championships.<\/p>\n

In the past decade, Calvisano, Petrarca and Rovigo have emerged as the strongest sides, with Rovigo winning the 2024\/2025 season.<\/p>\n

Top 10 (Portugal) \u2013 CDUL (20)
Launched in 1958, Portugal\u2019s Top 10 has had eight champions, with Lisbon\u2019s CDUL winning the title 20 times.<\/p>\n

Since the early 2000s, GD Direito and Belenenses Rugby have shared much of the success, with Direito claiming 11 titles and Belenenses 10.<\/p>\n

Belenenses have won the last two seasons and may be closing in on a third.<\/p>\n

Rodrigo Marta, David Wallis, Rafael Sim\u00f5es, Jo\u00e3o Uva, Diogo Mateus<\/a> and David Mateus<\/a> are among the club\u2019s most iconic players.<\/p>\n

Division de Honor (Spain) \u2013 VRAC (13)
In 1953, FC Barcelona emerged as the top team in a four-team league, defeating Atl\u00e9tico Madrid, UE Santboiana and AD Plus Ultra to become Spain\u2019s first champions, later retaining the title for a second season.<\/p>\n

For much of the 20th century, the Copa del Rey was the country\u2019s main tournament, and only in the 1980s did the Division de Honor become Spain\u2019s leading club competition.<\/p>\n

VRAC, the current holders, sit on 13 titles and have enjoyed one of the most dominant modern runs, winning all but two finals between 2011 and 2024.<\/p>\n

Liga Nationala Kaufland (Romania) \u2013 Steaua Bucuresti (24)
One of the oldest rugby competitions in the world, the Liga Nationala Kaufland was first contested in 1914 and has seen 12 different champions. The now-defunct Tennis Club Rom\u00e2n Bucuresti won the first three editions, and Steaua Bucuresti have since become the dominant force with 24 titles.<\/p>\n

Since 2010, the balance of power has shifted due to Stiinta Baia Mare\u2019s rise to power. The Bisons have won 10 championships in the past 15 years, while Bucharest clubs have managed only one.<\/p>\n

In 2025, Baia Mare claimed another title thanks to the contributions of Paul Popoaia<\/a>, Jason Tomane<\/a>, Nicolaas Immelman<\/a> and Stefan Iancu.<\/p>\n

Crocobet Didi 10 (Georgia) \u2013 RC Locomotive (8)
The Georgian Didi 10 has been held since 1990, becoming one of Europe\u2019s most physically demanding competitions.<\/p>\n

Although the league has rarely seen long dynasties, Lelo Saracens<\/a> won four straight titles between 2012 and 2016, and Locomotive Tbilisi won seven championships across eleven editions.<\/p>\n

In May, RC Batumi defeated AIA Kutaisi in a tight final to take the trophy.<\/p>\n

Before independence, a similar competition existed between 1967 and 1989. Dinamo Tbilisi won seven titles, while Locomotive won two, bringing their combined historical tally to 10.<\/p>\n

MLR (USA) \u2013 New England<\/a> Free Jacks (4)
Founded in 2018, Major League Rugby has faced its share of financial strain, with several clubs departing during the league\u2019s early years.<\/p>\n

Despite those setbacks, the New England Free Jacks<\/a> have become the competition\u2019s most successful side, winning the last three editions and holding four titles overall.<\/p>\n

\"rugbyNew England Free Jacks. (Source\/MLR)<\/p>\n

Only six teams will take part in the upcoming season, a 50 percent reduction compared to 2025.<\/p>\n

Primera Nacional Top10 (Chile) \u2013 Universidad Cat\u00f3lica \/ Old Boys (20)
Chile\u2019s Top 10 has delivered some of South America\u2019s most compelling club rugby, with five different champions in the last decade. The competition began in 1948, when the Prince of Wales<\/a> Country Club won the inaugural title.<\/p>\n

In 2025, Old Macks claimed their seventh championship by defeating Craighouse Old Boys.<\/p>\n

However, the two most successful clubs remain Universidad Cat\u00f3lica and Old Boys, each with 20 titles.<\/p>\n

Campeonato Uruguayo Rugby (Uruguay) \u2013 Carrasco Polo (28)
The Copa Perifar is Uruguay\u2019s main club competition and held its first edition in 1951. Montevideo Cricket won that maiden title, but Carrasco Polo have since rewritten the hierarchy with 28 championships, including a run of 17 straight from 1990 to 2006.<\/p>\n

During the 2010s, Old Christians and Old Boys dominated, winning 11 titles between them.<\/p>\n

In 2025, Old Boys secured their 17th national crown with a late penalty try.<\/p>\n

Nacional de Clubes (Argentina) \u2013 Hind\u00fa (11)
The Torneo Nacional de Clubes brings together champions from the URBA and the Torneo del Interior in a final to determine the national winners.<\/p>\n

The competition began in 1993 and has evolved several times. While it once featured the strongest teams from each of Argentina\u2019s provincial federations, it later shifted to a showdown between the champions of the country\u2019s two leading competitions.<\/p>\n

Hind\u00fa have claimed the title 11 times, with San Isidro Club next on five.<\/p>\n

However, many consider the URBA championship the country\u2019s most prestigious trophy due to its age, depth and rivalries. CA San Isidro (CASI), the club of Agust\u00edn Pichot, Eliseo Branca<\/a>, Santiago Phelan<\/a> and Claudio Bincaz, have won it 33 times.<\/p>\n

Super Rugby Americas \u2013 Pe\u00f1arol (3)
Founded in 2020, Super Rugby Americas began competition a year later and has since grown into South America\u2019s flagship franchise league.<\/p>\n

\"RugbySuper Rugby Am\u00e9ricas 2025, Round 3, Pampas v Pe\u00f1arol. Estadio Club Atl\u00e9tico de San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina<\/a> Foto: Emi Raimondi \/ Gaspafotos \/ Super Rugby Am\u00e9ricas<\/p>\n

With teams from Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay<\/a> and Colombia, the competition has helped elevate regional standards.<\/p>\n

Pe\u00f1arol are the reigning champions and the tournament\u2019s most successful side, having won the title in 2022, 2023 and 2025.<\/p>\n

Japan<\/a> Rugby League One (Japan) \u2013 Brave Lupus Tokyo (7)
Japan Rugby League One has produced some of the sport\u2019s most dramatic finals. Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo<\/a> retained the title after Richie Mo\u2019unga<\/a> steered them past Kubota Spears<\/a> in an 18-13 win.<\/p>\n

With that victory, the Wolves became the undisputed JRLO leaders with seven championships.<\/p>\n

Some of last season\u2019s best matches are available to watch on RugbyPass TV.<\/p>\n

Hong Kong Premiership (Hong Kong China) \u2013 Hong Kong FC (11)
The Nan Fung Group | AIRSIDE Men\u2019s Premiership has been Hong Kong China\u2019s top-tier competition since 2001. Hong Kong FC have been its most successful side, claiming 11 titles.<\/p>\n

After retaining the championship for two seasons, HKFC were dethroned by HKU Sandy Bay, who won 40-29 in the most recent final.<\/p>\n

Currie Cup (South Africa) \u2013 Western Province (34)
One of the oldest domestic rugby competitions, the Currie Cup<\/a> has crowned eight champions since its inception. Western Province<\/a> lead the roll of honour with 34 titles.<\/p>\n

In 2025, Griquas<\/a> secured their fourth title. The Golden Lions<\/a> came close to ending a 10-year drought before George Whitehead<\/a> landed an 83rd-minute penalty to seal the game.<\/p>\n

Northern Transvaal, now the Blue Bulls, follow with 25 titles.<\/p>\n

\"JarrodJarrod Taylor<\/a> of the NDHL Western Province during the Currie Cup, Premier Division match between Toyota Cheetahs<\/a> and DHL Western Province at Toyota Stadium on May 06, 2023 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo by Johan Pretorius\/Gallo Images\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Skipper Cup (Fiji) \u2013 Nadroga (15)
Nadroga remain Fiji\u2019s most successful provincial side, winning 15 Skipper Cup titles, 11 more than Naitasiri, Nadi and Suva.<\/p>\n

Alivereti Raka, Mosese Volavola, Joeli Lutumailagi, Jone Koroiduadua<\/a>, Ifereimi Tawake<\/a>, Fero Lasagavibau<\/a> and Peni Ravai<\/a> are among those who have represented the club.<\/p>\n

In 2025, Malolo broke Nadroga\u2019s long dominance, eliminating them in the quarterfinals before beating Nadi and Naitasiri to take the crown.<\/p>\n

Their title was especially notable given they were nearly relegated in 2024.<\/p>\n

Bunnings NPC (New Zealand) \u2013 Auckland (17)
While the Crusaders<\/a> dominate Super Rugby, Auckland<\/a> remain the NPC\u2019s most decorated team with 17 titles. Their last championship came in 2018, when they beat Canterbury<\/a> in a gripping final.<\/p>\n

Canterbury have continued to close the gap, winning their 15th title in 2024.<\/p>\n

After six years without silverware, they beat Otago<\/a> 36-28 in the final.<\/p>\n

Super Rugby AUS \u2013 Waratahs (1)
Despite a disappointing Super Rugby Pacific<\/a> campaign, the NSW Waratahs<\/a> recovered to become the inaugural champions of Super Rugby AUS.<\/p>\n

After the NRC folded in 2019, Australia<\/a> were left without a nationwide competition beyond the Shute Shield and Queensland Premier Rugby.<\/p>\n

With Super Rugby AUS now established, Rugby Australia hope it will provide better preparation for Super Rugby Pacific.<\/p>\n

Super Rugby Pacific \u2013 Crusaders (13)
The Crusaders are the most successful side in Super Rugby Pacific, winning 13 titles and enjoying their longest period of success under Scott Robertson.<\/p>\n

The Blues<\/a> sit second with four championships, while the Bulls<\/a> won in 2007, 2009 and 2010.<\/p>\n

Eleven teams now compete for the trophy: the Hurricanes, Highlanders, Blues, Moana Pasifika, Crusaders and Chiefs<\/a> from New Zealand; the Brumbies, Reds<\/a> and Waratahs from Australia; and Fiji\u2019s Fijian Drua.<\/p>\n

Other notable competitions
Several competitions could not be included due to unavailable post-2023 information for Samoa, Tonga<\/a> and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n

Notable mentions include the Dutch Ereklasse (RC Hilversum), the German Bundesliga (11-time champions Heidelberger RK), the Brazilian Super 12 (Spac with 12 titles) and the Belgian Elite League (RSC Anderlecht as the most successful club).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With the 2027 Rugby World Cup on the horizon, it is worth asking who each of the 24…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":384538,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[567],"tags":[64,63,760,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-384537","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-rugby","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-rugby","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/384537","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=384537"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/384537\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/384538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=384537"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=384537"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=384537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}