Rugby most likely came to Aude in the late 19th century, when students from Toulouse occupied their free time at weekends or during the holidays playing with an oval-shaped ball. The first photo of a rugby game is believed to have been taken in Lézignan-Corbières. At first, matches were played between high school students, then clubs began to emerge.
Rugby league first appeared in 1934, before then being banned by the Vichy government. It was revived upon the liberation of France and the two types of rugby were played throughout Aude.
Today, rugby is a part of daily life in all the villages here. On a national level, the clubs of Aude have got some great victories under their belt and rugby players from Aude have been selected for the French team!
A number of rugby players from Aude are still in the local spotlight several years after their retirement.