Rising Rugby World Cup nation establishes Super XV club league 

Portuguese rugby has taken a new step, as twelve clubs have established the national association ‘Associação Super XV – Rugby Portugal’, which aims to take over the management of the nation’s premier club division.

SL Benfica, GDS Cascais, GD Direito, CF ‘Os Belenenses’, CR São Miguel, Agronomia Rugby, Académica Rugby, CDUP, Técnico Rugby, CDUL, Santarém RC, and CR Setúbal formed the new association that signed a formal agreement with the Portuguese Rugby Union on Wednesday.

The protocol determined that the new association would assume responsibility for both organising the “Super XV” competition and developing streaming, broadcasting and commercial arrangements for the league, which takes place annually between September and May.

Carlos Amado da Silva, the President of the Portuguese Rugby Union, expressed his satisfaction that both parties had reached an agreement for the benefit of the Portuguese rugby community.

“This is the result of a joint effort, but I have to give most of the credit to the clubs. It is a more than positive arrangement for all of us. Let it be clear that there were never any disagreements between the Association and the FPR; on the contrary, we encouraged it to happen.”

Luís Filipe Lança de Morais, chairman of the Super XV association, highlighted the efforts of the twelve clubs to find a common goal to advance the sport in Portugal.

“For the first time, we have twelve clubs aligned around a common goal, and I think that is very positive – it is historic. Together, we will try to enhance the value of this competition by offering a product with greater visibility that will benefit the sport.”

This will mark the first time that the Federação Portuguesa de Rugby will not have full responsibility for managing the country’s premier men’s 15-a-side competition. However, the union will retain authority over appointing match officials and handling disciplinary matters.

With the Lobos qualified for their third men’s Rugby World Cup, the Portuguese clubs are now focused on developing a more enticing competition that promises to take them into a new era.