The Liga Națională de Rugby (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈliga natsjonalə de rugbi]) is a professional rugby union club competition that is played in Romania. In the 2023 season there are 14 teams competing. The competition was established in 1913 and is governed by the Romanian Rugby Federation. Steaua București is the most successful club in the competition with 24 titles.

History

The first Romanian competition took place in 1914 between two Bucharest team's in Tennis Club Român and Sporting Club with Tennis Club Român taking out the first title winning both of the matches by eight and three points respectively. The competition expanded and grew in the 1920s and 1930s (with a peak in the 1970s and 1980s), after Stadiul Român and seventeen more (other) teams were founded in Bucharest-only ever since. The championship took place on an annual basis, with some gap years caused by the two World Wars mostly.

The first team set up outside Bucharest (to play the top-tier competition) was IAR Brașov in 1939, a team owned and run by the famous Braşov aircraft factory I.A.R. (Industria Aeronautică Română), but the first one to become champion of Romania was Universitatea Timișoara, only in 1972.

The European Champions Cup in its early years (1960s) used to be a Franco-Romanian affair, with RC Grivița București (1964) and Dinamo (1967) grabbing their fair share of glory. In 1995 it was Farul Constanţa the team to represent Romania in the newly born Heineken Cup (splitting with Stade Toulousain the honour of playing on home ground the first ever match of the competition), but that was to be followed by no other participation of a Romanian side ever since (as of 2020). Nonetheless, the Romanian teams turned to the European Challenge Cup although never actually advanced to the quarterfinals. To better cope with the strong clubs of the 6 Nations countries the Romanian Rugby Union pulled together an all-domestic franchise - Stejarii (The Oaks), to be later renamed Lupii București (Bucharest Wolves) - but despite the healthy idea and some gleams of success, the mighty SuperLiga clubs forced the Romanian Rugby Establishment to back off and allow again the champions of the SuperLiga to take part in the European Challenge Cup.

The Romania Superliga is the premier rugby union tournament in Romania, showcasing the best teams and players in the country. Established in [year], the tournament has grown in popularity and has become a highly anticipated event in the Romanian sporting calendar.

The Romania Superliga features a round-robin format, where teams compete against each other in a series of matches throughout the season. The top teams from the regular season advance to the playoffs, culminating in an exciting final to determine the champion.

The tournament attracts a wide range of teams from across Romania, representing different regions and cities. These teams consist of talented and dedicated players who showcase their skills, strength, and tactical prowess on the field. The competition is fierce, with teams battling it out for victory and the chance to be crowned champions of Romania.

The Romania Superliga not only provides thrilling rugby action but also serves as a platform for the development and growth of the sport in the country. It offers opportunities for young and aspiring players to showcase their talent and potentially earn selection for the national team.

The tournament is known for its passionate and enthusiastic fan base, with supporters filling the stadiums to cheer on their favorite teams. The atmosphere is electric, with chants, cheers, and applause echoing throughout the matches, creating an unforgettable experience for both players and spectators.

In addition to the on-field action, the Romania Superliga also promotes community engagement and social initiatives. Rugby clubs often organize events and activities to involve local communities, fostering a sense of unity and pride.

Overall, the Romania Superliga is a thrilling and competitive rugby union tournament that showcases the best of Romanian rugby. With its passionate fans, talented players, and commitment to community engagement, it continues to grow in popularity and contribute to the development of the sport in Romania.