Lyon

History of Lyon

The Lyon rugby team was formed back in 1896. During the team's early years, it was known by several different names. Originally, it was known as Racing Club, because the formation of the new Lyon rugby team meant that local sides Racing Club de Vaise and the Rugby Club de Lyon merged. 

However, by 1902, the team had been renamed Racing et Cercles Réunis after several other clubs joined. A few months later, the team became known as Lyon Olympique. Finally, in 1910, the club officially became Lyon Olympique Universitaire Rugby, which it has remained ever since.

Since then, the Lyon rugby team has won the French Championship twice. However, its last victory was back in 1933 (their first was the year before).

Fast forward to the start of the professional era and the Lyon rugby team largely bounced between the Pro D2 and the Top 14. However, since they last won promotion to the Top 14 in 2016, they have remained in France’s top division.

Similarly, in recent years, the team has started to regularly reach the playoff stages of the competition. Plus, they won the European Rugby Challenge Cup in 2022 and finished as the competition’s runners-up in 2025. 

As you may expect from such a talented team, many Lyon rugby players are current internationals. In fact, the current crop of Lyon rugby players contains several established international stars, including Camille Chat and Mickaël Guillard. 

Think Lyon OU can capture their first title since the 1930s? Track their progress right here at RugbyPass.