Rugby union in Madagascar

Rugby union in Madagascar
CountryMadagascar
National team(s)Madagascar
First played1890s
Registered players42,540[1]
Clubs410
National competitions
Preview warning: Page using Template:Infobox sport overview with unknown parameter "countryflag"

Rugby union in Madagascar is the most popular team sport in the nation. As of August 2023, Madagascar is ranked 45th worldwide by World Rugby (WR),[2] and boasts over 42,540 registered players and more than 410 rugby clubs.[3] Although Madagascar lacks a professional competition, as it is one of the poorest countries in the world, it does possess a national club competition that is extensively covered in the national print media, as well as having matches televised. Rugby is considered the national sport of Madagascar.[4][5]

The governing body is the Madagascan Rugby Federation or Fédération Malagasy de Rugby.[1]

  1. ^ a b "International Rugby Board - MADAGASCAR". Irb.com. Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  2. ^ "World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  3. ^ Official Madagascar Playing Numbers Archived 2011-09-30 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Madagascar take Sevens honours". Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2012-07-27.
  5. ^ "14-place jump for Madagascar". Archived from the original on 2012-11-18. Retrieved 2012-07-27.