Castres

Since their formation back in 1906, the Castres Rugby team has been one of the top rugby union sides in France. Now, the team competes in the Top 14 and regularly battles for European honours.

Read on to discover even more about the Castres Rugby team. On this page, you'll discover all the latest news about Castres Olympique and you'll also be able to see the team's most recent results and upcoming fixtures.

The team's formation can be traced back to a group of ex-students in a French bar in 1898. All the former students had met at Castres Municipal College and ultimately decided to make a team so that they could continue playing their favourite sport: rugby union. For the first several years of existence, Castres Rugby Club was part of a multisport club. However, the members of Castres Rugby section were unhappy that the cycling club received preferential treatment. As a result, in 1906, the rugby section decided to leave and form Castres Olympique.

From there, the popularity and success of the team skyrocketed. Only 15 years later, Castres Rugby Club reached the French first division, and they've stayed there almost permanently ever since. During their time in the top flight of French rugby, Castres Olympique have won the French championship on five occasions (most recently in 2018) and they've finished as runners-up another two times. Plus, the Castres Rugby side also won the Coupe de France in 1948 and finished as runners-up in the 1993 Challenge Yves du Manoir.

Castres Olympique have also represented France in major European competitions over the years. In 2003, the Castres Rugby side won the European Shield. Plus, in both 1997 and 2000, the side finished as runners-up in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Due to the Castres Rugby side's recent success, several international players play for Castres Olympique. They include France flanker Mathieu Babillot, Tonga number eight Ma'ama Vaipulu and Argentina centre/fly-half Benjamín Urdapilleta.