Rugby union in Portugal

Rugby union in Portugal
Rugby match between Portugal and Spain
CountryPortugal
Governing bodyPortuguese Rugby Federation
National team(s)Portugal
First played1903
Registered players48000-60000
National competitions
Club competitions
Players from Mareantes Rugby Clube before kick off

Rugby union in Portugal is a very prevalent sport, though still a long distance from association football. The sport is essentially amateur in Portugal, with some professionalisation in its top flight league and the national rugby union team. The rugby union teams in Portugal are mostly university sides, from Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra, with multi-sport clubs like Benfica and Belenenses having rugby union collectivities.