Recent season or competition 2024 Asia Rugby Championship | |
Sport | Rugby union |
---|---|
Formerly known as | Asian Five Nations |
Instituted | 1969 2008 (as Asian Five Nations) 2015 (ARC) |
Governing body | Asia Rugby |
Holders | Hong Kong (5 titles) |
Most titles | Japan (25 titles) |
Website | asiarugby.com/championship |
The Asia Rugby Championship, or ARC, is an annual rugby union competition held amongst national rugby sides within the Asia Rugby region.[1] The competition was originally known as the Asian Rugby Football Tournament when founded in 1969, and was called the Asian Five Nations from 2008 to 2014.
The winner of the competition's top division is recognised as the rugby champion of Asia. The top division, sometimes referred to as the Tri Nations, includes the top three Asian teams each season. Division 1 includes the next four teams and Division 2 includes the next four. Division three is further divided geographically, with each of the West, East and South Central divisions including three teams.
As of 2017, Japan is the most successful team, securing 25 out of a possible 30 titles since 1969. They have not participated in the series since 2017.