Bordeaux

Union Bordeaux Bègles, known more commonly as Bordeaux rugby, is a rugby union team that competes in the Top 14, the top division of French rugby. The team was only founded in 2006, but it regularly competes for both domestic and European titles. 

Union Bordeaux Bègles was formed when two local sides merged to create a team that was capable of representing the city of Bordeaux on the national stage. 

Although supporters of both Stade Bordelais and CA Bordeaux-Bègles Gironde opposed the merger, the plan went through with the support of local businesses and former players, with the new team taking the place of Stade Bordelais in the Pro D2. 

However, due to conflicts between the two merging sides, the team was initially called Union Stade Bordelais-C.A.Bordeaux-Bègles Gironde. Thankfully, in 2008, the club's name was shortened to Union Bordeaux Bègles. That said, most rugby fans simply refer to the team as Bordeaux.

Although the team struggled for continuity in its early years, it did not take long before the side gained promotion from the Pro D2. At the close of the 2010-11 season, Bordeaux rugby finished fifth in the table and qualified for the play-offs. They then went on to beat Grenoble in the semi-finals and SC Albi in the final to secure promotion to the Top 14.

Since then, Bordeaux have appeared in every edition of the Top 14. Added to this, the team is now widely considered to be one of the best teams in France. They reached the final of the Top 14 for the first time in 2024, but they were heavily beaten by Toulouse. 

Although Bordeaux are a young side, they're definitely a team on the up and they've made significant waves in French rugby since their arrival on the scene in 2006. Who knows what the future holds for this up-and-coming side.