The Lord Derby Cup also known as French Rugby à XIII Cup, is the premier knock-out competition for the sport of rugby league football in France. It is open to all French

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

 rugby league clubs.

It was first contested in 1934, the same season as the French Rugby League Championship

French rugby league championship

The French rugby league championship has been the major rugby league tournament for semi-professional and professional clubs in France and Monaco since the sport was introduced to the country in the thirties....

 first got under way. The first winner of the cup was US Lyon Villeurbanne on 5 May 1935 in Toulouse.

The Lord Derby Trophy was offered by Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby

Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby

Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby KG, GCB, GCVO, TD, PC, KGStJ, JP , known as Lord Stanley from 1893 to 1908, was a British soldier, Conservative politician, diplomat and racehorse owner. He was twice Secretary of State for War and also served as British Ambassador to...

 on May 1935 to the winner of the game played between Castleford

Castleford Tigers

Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...

, the winners of English Rugby League Challenge Cup

Challenge Cup

The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....

, and US Lyon Villeurbanne. Edward George Villiers Stanley was the honorary president of the Rugby Football League

Rugby Football League

The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...

, a politician and had also previously served as the British ambassador

Ambassador

An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....

 in Paris. The match took place on 12 May 1935, in Paris; US Lyon Villeurbanne won it and were awarded the Trophy.

Some months after, to symbolize the English-French rugby league Entente Cordiale

Entente Cordiale

The Entente Cordiale was a series of agreements signed on 8 April 1904 between the United Kingdom and the French Republic. Beyond the immediate concerns of colonial expansion addressed by the agreement, the signing of the Entente Cordiale marked the end of almost a millennium of intermittent...

, US Lyon Villeurbanne handed over the trophy to the Ligue Française de Rugby à XIII. At the French rugby league cup final on 19 April 1936, Côte Basque were awarded the Lord Derby Trophy and it has been competed for ever since.

List of champions

Year Winners Score Runner-up 1934-35 Lyon Lyon Villeurbanne Lyon Villeurbanne are a French rugby league club from the town of Lyon in France. They play in the Elite Two Championship.-History:The Lyon club was founded in 1934. In 1934, the French rugby league was setup. The Lyon club, won the inaugural Lord Derby Cup in 1934-35. The club went on to win the... 22-7 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 1935-36 Côte Basque 15-8 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 1936-37 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 12-6 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 1937-38 RC Roanne 36-12 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 1938-39 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 7-3 Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique are a French professional rugby league team from Toulouse, in the southwest of France. They were founded on 22 October, in 1937 two years after the founding of the French Rugby League Federation. Between 1995 and 2002 the club were known as Spacers de Toulouse, due to links with... 1939-40 Final did not take place due to the Second World War1 1940-44 Rugby league banned by Vichy regime Vichy France Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic... 1944-45 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 23-14 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 1945-46 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 27-7 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 1946-47 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 24-5 SO Avignon 1947-48 RC Marseille Marseille XIII -History:Marseille XIII were founded in 1946.The club has only won the French Championship once, in 1949. They have however lost three finals, in 1950, 1952 and 1973... 5-4 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 1948-49 RC Marseille Marseille XIII -History:Marseille XIII were founded in 1946.The club has only won the French Championship once, in 1949. They have however lost three finals, in 1950, 1952 and 1973... 12-9 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 1949-50 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 12-5 Lyon Lyon Villeurbanne Lyon Villeurbanne are a French rugby league club from the town of Lyon in France. They play in the Elite Two Championship.-History:The Lyon club was founded in 1934. In 1934, the French rugby league was setup. The Lyon club, won the inaugural Lord Derby Cup in 1934-35. The club went on to win the... 1950-51 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 22-10 Lyon Lyon Villeurbanne Lyon Villeurbanne are a French rugby league club from the town of Lyon in France. They play in the Elite Two Championship.-History:The Lyon club was founded in 1934. In 1934, the French rugby league was setup. The Lyon club, won the inaugural Lord Derby Cup in 1934-35. The club went on to win the... 1951-52 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 28-9 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 1952-53 Lyon Lyon Villeurbanne Lyon Villeurbanne are a French rugby league club from the town of Lyon in France. They play in the Elite Two Championship.-History:The Lyon club was founded in 1934. In 1934, the French rugby league was setup. The Lyon club, won the inaugural Lord Derby Cup in 1934-35. The club went on to win the... 9-8 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 1953-54 Lyon Lyon Villeurbanne Lyon Villeurbanne are a French rugby league club from the town of Lyon in France. They play in the Elite Two Championship.-History:The Lyon club was founded in 1934. In 1934, the French rugby league was setup. The Lyon club, won the inaugural Lord Derby Cup in 1934-35. The club went on to win the... 17-15 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 1954-55 SO Avignon 18-10 RC Marseille Marseille XIII -History:Marseille XIII were founded in 1946.The club has only won the French Championship once, in 1949. They have however lost three finals, in 1950, 1952 and 1973... 1955-56 SO Avignon 25-12 Bordeaux XIII 1956-57 RC Marseille Marseille XIII -History:Marseille XIII were founded in 1946.The club has only won the French Championship once, in 1949. They have however lost three finals, in 1950, 1952 and 1973... 11-0 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 1957-58 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 20-8 SO Avignon 1958-59 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 7-0 SO Avignon 1959-60 FC Lézignan 7-4 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 1960-61 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 5-2 FC Lézignan 1961-62 RC Roanne 16-10 Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique are a French professional rugby league team from Toulouse, in the southwest of France. They were founded on 22 October, in 1937 two years after the founding of the French Rugby League Federation. Between 1995 and 2002 the club were known as Spacers de Toulouse, due to links with... 1962-63 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 5-0 Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique are a French professional rugby league team from Toulouse, in the southwest of France. They were founded on 22 October, in 1937 two years after the founding of the French Rugby League Federation. Between 1995 and 2002 the club were known as Spacers de Toulouse, due to links with... 1963-64 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 10-2 Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique are a French professional rugby league team from Toulouse, in the southwest of France. They were founded on 22 October, in 1937 two years after the founding of the French Rugby League Federation. Between 1995 and 2002 the club were known as Spacers de Toulouse, due to links with... 1964-65 RC Marseille Marseille XIII -History:Marseille XIII were founded in 1946.The club has only won the French Championship once, in 1949. They have however lost three finals, in 1950, 1952 and 1973... 13-8 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 1965-66 FC Lézignan 22-7 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 1966-67 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 10-4 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 1967-68 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 9-2 Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique are a French professional rugby league team from Toulouse, in the southwest of France. They were founded on 22 October, in 1937 two years after the founding of the French Rugby League Federation. Between 1995 and 2002 the club were known as Spacers de Toulouse, due to links with... 1968-69 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 13-8 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 1969-70 FC Lézignan 14-8 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 1970-71 RC Marseille Marseille XIII -History:Marseille XIII were founded in 1946.The club has only won the French Championship once, in 1949. They have however lost three finals, in 1950, 1952 and 1973... 17-2 FC Lézignan 1971-72 AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1965... 12-5 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 1972-73 RC Saint-Gaudens RC Saint-Gaudens Saint-Gaudens Bears are a French rugby league team from the town of Saint-Gaudens in the department of Haute-Garonne.-History:The club, founded in 1958, have won the French Championship on four occasions, and the Lord Derby Cup also on four occasions.... 22-8 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups...

Year Winners Score Runner-up 1973-74 RC Albi Racing Club Albi XIII RC Albi XIII is a French rugby league club in the Elite Two Championship. They are based in Albi, Tarn.- Club honours :* French championship : 1938, 1956, 1958, 1962, 1977* Runners-up : 1960* French cup : 1974... 21-11 FC Lézignan 1974-75 Pia XIII Pia XIII Salanque Méditerranée Pia XIII or SM Pia XIII are a French professional rugby league team from Pia in the Pyrénées-Orientales département. The club was formed in 1960 and now plays in the Elite Championship, the highest tier of French domestic rugby league.... 9-4 RC Marseille Marseille XIII -History:Marseille XIII were founded in 1946.The club has only won the French Championship once, in 1949. They have however lost three finals, in 1950, 1952 and 1973... 1975-76 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 23-8 Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique Toulouse Olympique are a French professional rugby league team from Toulouse, in the southwest of France. They were founded on 22 October, in 1937 two years after the founding of the French Rugby League Federation. Between 1995 and 2002 the club were known as Spacers de Toulouse, due to links with... 1976-77 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 21-16 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 1977-78 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 18-7 FC Lézignan 1978-79 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 15-5 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 1979-80 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 18-8 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 1980-81 (cancelled)2 1981-82 SO Avignon 18-12 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 1982-83 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 10-3 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 1983-84 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 18-7 SC Limoux 1984-85 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 24-7 SC Limoux 1985-86 US Le Pontet US Le Pontet Union Sportive Le Pontet Football is a football club based in Le Pontet, Vaucluse, France. They play at the Stade de Montbord in Le Pontet.-History:The club was formed in 1980 under the name of Olympique Pontétien... 35-10 AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1965... 1986-87 AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1965... 20-10 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 1987-88 US Le Pontet US Le Pontet Union Sportive Le Pontet Football is a football club based in Le Pontet, Vaucluse, France. They play at the Stade de Montbord in Le Pontet.-History:The club was formed in 1980 under the name of Olympique Pontétien... 5-2 AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1965... 1988-89 SO Avignon 12-11 AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1965... 1989-90 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 22-8 AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1965... 1990-91 RC Saint-Gaudens RC Saint-Gaudens Saint-Gaudens Bears are a French rugby league team from the town of Saint-Gaudens in the department of Haute-Garonne.-History:The club, founded in 1958, have won the French Championship on four occasions, and the Lord Derby Cup also on four occasions.... 30-4 Pia XIII Pia XIII Salanque Méditerranée Pia XIII or SM Pia XIII are a French professional rugby league team from Pia in the Pyrénées-Orientales département. The club was formed in 1960 and now plays in the Elite Championship, the highest tier of French domestic rugby league.... 1991-92 RC Saint-Gaudens RC Saint-Gaudens Saint-Gaudens Bears are a French rugby league team from the town of Saint-Gaudens in the department of Haute-Garonne.-History:The club, founded in 1958, have won the French Championship on four occasions, and the Lord Derby Cup also on four occasions.... 22-10 RC Carpentras 1992-93 AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1965... 12-10 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 1993-94 AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1965... 14-12 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 1994-95 AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1965... 28-8 Pia XIII Pia XIII Salanque Méditerranée Pia XIII or SM Pia XIII are a French professional rugby league team from Pia in the Pyrénées-Orientales département. The club was formed in 1960 and now plays in the Elite Championship, the highest tier of French domestic rugby league.... 1995-96 AS Limoux 39-12 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 1996-97 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 25-24 AS Limoux 1997-98 AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève AS Saint Estève were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1965... 38-0 SO Avignon 1998-99 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 20-5 FC Lézignan 1999-00 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 34-14 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 2000-01 XIII Catalan XIII Catalan XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship... 38-17 SC Limoux 2001-02 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 27-18 Pia XIII Pia XIII Salanque Méditerranée Pia XIII or SM Pia XIII are a French professional rugby league team from Pia in the Pyrénées-Orientales département. The club was formed in 1960 and now plays in the Elite Championship, the highest tier of French domestic rugby league.... 2002-03 US Villeneuve US Villeneuve Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French rugby league club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot in the département of Lot-et-Garonne. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 ... 16-14 Pia XIII Pia XIII Salanque Méditerranée Pia XIII or SM Pia XIII are a French professional rugby league team from Pia in the Pyrénées-Orientales département. The club was formed in 1960 and now plays in the Elite Championship, the highest tier of French domestic rugby league.... 2003-04 Union Treiziste Catalane Catalans Dragons The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom... 36-24 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 2004-05 Union Treiziste Catalane Catalans Dragons The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom... 31-12 SC Limoux 2005-06 Pia XIII Pia XIII Salanque Méditerranée Pia XIII or SM Pia XIII are a French professional rugby league team from Pia in the Pyrénées-Orientales département. The club was formed in 1960 and now plays in the Elite Championship, the highest tier of French domestic rugby league.... 36-20 FC Lézignan 2006-07 Pia XIII Pia XIII Salanque Méditerranée Pia XIII or SM Pia XIII are a French professional rugby league team from Pia in the Pyrénées-Orientales département. The club was formed in 1960 and now plays in the Elite Championship, the highest tier of French domestic rugby league.... 30-14 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 2007-08 AS Limoux 17-14 RC Albi Racing Club Albi XIII RC Albi XIII is a French rugby league club in the Elite Two Championship. They are based in Albi, Tarn.- Club honours :* French championship : 1938, 1956, 1958, 1962, 1977* Runners-up : 1960* French cup : 1974... 2008-09 AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne AS Carcassonne are a professional rugby league football club based in Carcassonne in the south of France. They play in the French rugby league championship and are one of the most successful clubs in French rugby league, having won a total of ten French Championship titles and eleven Lord Derby Cups... 18-16 Limoux Grizzlies Limoux Grizzlies Limoux Grizzlies are a French rugby league club from the town of Limoux in the département of Aude. They play in the Elite One Championship.-History:The Limoux club was founded in 1951. The club won its first and thus far only French Championship in 1968...

Footnotes

1. - Semi-final 28 April 1940 in Bordeaux: Côte Basque 14-5 XIII Catalan.

- 12 May 1940 (reason: unavailability of the ground on 5 May 1940) in Toulouse: semi-final Pau XIII v AS Carcassonne: game not played because 10 May 1940 the invasion of Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands by Germany.

- 19 May 1940 in … : no final Côte Basque v Pau XIII or AS Carcassonne, i.e.: season 1939-1940: Lord Derby Cup "Not awarded due to the war" (mentioned above).

2. The final between AS Carcassonne and XIII Catalan was cancelled because of the fight at the championship final

French rugby league championship

The French rugby league championship has been the major rugby league tournament for semi-professional and professional clubs in France and Monaco since the sport was introduced to the country in the thirties....

 the previous week.

Books

• Le Rugby à XIII le plus français du monde -1934 to 1996- by Louis Bonnery,
• the Forbidden game by Mike Rylance.

External links

• French rugby league federation
• Infostreize