Here is an overview of the most important Rugby Union competitions in the world.
International
These are also called Test matches. They are played between national teams.
The Rugby World Cup
When: September to November.
As of 2023, there are 20 teams participating in the World Cup. This is an event that is held every four years. The first World Cup was in 1987, won by New Zealand. The most recent World Cup was in 2019, won by South Africa.
There have been 9 World Cups so far, and New Zealand and South Africa have won 3 each. Australia has won 2, and England has won 1. The 2023 World Cup is currently occurring in France.
The Trophy is known as the Webb Ellis Cup.
The Six Nations Championship
When: February to March. Location: Europe.
The Six Nations is an annual competition between six European teams: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. The first edition was in 1883, and was originally called the Home Nations Championship. France joined in 1910, and it was renamed the Five Nations. Italy joined in 2000, becoming the Six Nations.
Each team plays each other team once. The most successful teams are England and Wales.
The Rugby Championship
When: August to October. Location: AUS, NZL, RSA, ARG.
The Rugby Championship is an annual competition between four Southern Hemisphere teams: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina (who joined in 2012). Originally called the Tri Nations, the competition started in 1996. It was renamed The Rugby Championship in 2012, after Argentina joined.
New Zealand has been the most dominant team in its history, winning 20 out of the 28 editions.
Club Competitions
European Rugby Champions Cup
When: December to May. Location: Europe.
The European Rugby Champions Cup is a club competition between the top teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Beginning in 1995 as the Heineken Cup, it rebranded to the Champions Cup in 2014. The current format (2023) has 24 teams. The most successful team is Toulouse from France, who have won 5 titles. Other successful teams include Leinster and Saracens.
Super Rugby
When: February to July. Location: AUS, NZL, FIJ.
Super Rugby is a Southern Hemisphere club competition. It started in 1996 and is an annual competition. The current format (2023) has 12 teams from Australia, New Zealand and one Fijian team (the Fijian Drua). Originally, South Africa was part of Super Rugby, however in 2020 South African teams joined the United Rugby Championship.
Argentina joined in 2016, with the Jaguares making one finals appearance in 2019, before exiting the competition in 2020.
A Japanese team, the Sunwolves, joined in 2016. They exited the competition in 2020.
By far the most successful team over its history is the Crusaders from New Zealand, who have won 14 titles. Other successful teams include the Blues, Brumbies, Bulls and Chiefs.
Premiership Rugby
When: Varies, September to June. Location: England.
The Premiership is an English club competition. It started in 1987. The current format (2023) has 10 teams. The most successful team is the Leicester Tigers, who have won 11 titles. Other successful teams include Bath and Saracens.
In 2022, two clubs became insolvent and were removed from the competition. These were Worcester Warrios and Wasps.
Currently called the Gallagher Premiership.
Top 14
When: September to June. Location: France.
The Top 14 is the highest level of French domestic rugby. It started in 1892, with the current format (2023) having 14 teams. The most successful team is Stade Toulousain (Toulouse), who have won 22 titles. Other successful teams include Stade Français, Racing 92 and Castres Olympique.
It is estimated to be the most valuable rugby union club competition in the world. It has several lower divisions, including the Pro D2.
United Rugby Championship
When: ~September to ~June. Location: IRE, ITA, SCO, RSA, WAL.
The United Rugby Championship started as the Celtic League, becoming the Pro 12, Pro 14, and now the URC. It currently involves teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, and South Africa.
The most successful clubs are Leinster, Munster and the Ospreys.
Major League Rugby
When: ~Feburary to ~July. Location: USA, Canada.
Major League Rugby is the current competition based in North America. Starting in In 2023 it features 12 teams.
The Seattle Seawolves have won two titles, with the New England Free Jacks winning most recently (2023).
Other Competitions
National Provincial Championship
When: Sometime between August to November. Location: New Zealand.
This is New Zealand’s domestic competition. Generally, the best players from this competition will be selected for Super Rugby teams, and for the All Blacks.
Sevens World Series
When: Anually. Location: Global.
Not specifically Rugby Union, but the Sevens World Series is a system of international tournaments across the world. The players in a Sevens team will generally not also play “full” rugby union (fifteen-a-side). At the end of the season, the team with the most championship points is the World Series Champion.
Cups
Many Cups are played in international rugby. These are generally between two nations to add history to the matchup. For example, New Zealand and France contest the Dave Gallaher Trophy while Australia and South Africa contest the Mandela Challenge Plate .
Bledisloe Cup
One of the most prominent Cups is the Bledisloe Cup, contested between New Zealand and Australia. It has been played 63 times (2023) and usually is a two or three match series each year.
New Zealand have won 51 out of the 63 occasions.
Extras
Matches between Club and International Teams
Occasionally, for either special occasions or as a warmup, international teams will play clubs. These events happened much more often before professionalism, where rugby teams had tours of other countries. These tours would involve 2 or 3 matches against that nation’s international team, as well as 5+ matches against clubs from the country.
For a recent example, New Zealand played against Munster in 2008, while on tour in Ireland. New Zealand won 18-16.
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions are a combined team of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Every four years, starting in 1888, the BIL alternate touring New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. These are usually the most valuable events outside of the World Cup.
There has been 38 tours. The Lions have won 15, drawn 2 and lost 21. They have a winning record against Australia, a losing record against South Africa, and have only beaten New Zealand once.