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Wikipedia / Rugby Quebec

Rugby Québec is the popular name of the Fédération de Rugby du Québec (formerly the Québec Rugby Union) which is the provincial governing body for the sport of rugby union in the Canadian province of Québec. The Fédération de Rugby du Québec is affiliated with the Canadian Rugby Union.

The Fédération de Rugby du Québec's origins are hard to trace for two reasons. First, rugby union in Canada converged with and then later split from the game of Canadian football, often with rugby football unions representing both games, thus making an exact history hard to establish. Second, the Fédération de Rugby du Québec has not put a great emphasis on maintaining detailed historical records. This has led to gaps in its administrative and competition history and the lost information may never be known.

The Westmount Rugby Club traces its roots back to 1876 or 1878, and some sort of organized rugby has been played in Québec ever since. In the 1920s and 1930s many clubs made the transition to professional or semi-professional football. Regardless, several leagues were formed during the 1950s that were not associated with the Québec Rugby Union. This changed in the later 1960s and in the late 1970s the union officially changed its name to the Fédération de Rugby du Québec.

The FRQ has many differing levels and types of competition. There are two predominant competitions that have the longest historical record. The first is the Premier Championship Cup, which is awarded annually to the best rugby team in cup competition. This has also been known as the "Quebec Cup", Senior Cup, the First Division Cup, the A Division Cup and (formerly) the Standard Life Cup and can trace its origins back to the 1950s. The second oldest championship is the Intermediate Cup, awarded to the best club team in the second side cup competition. This has also been known as the Second Division Cup, the B Division Cup and the Des O'Neill Trophy.

Original clubs

As leagues in Montréal and the St. Lawrence Rugger and Cricket Association were formed, the first cohort of modern clubs was founded.

  • Montreal Barbarians RFC - founded in 1953 and primarily located in the West Island of Montréal, this suburban club was Québec champions in 1957, 1963 and 1964, was First Division champs in 1997 to 1999 and 2002 to 2006 and, finally, was Second Division champs in 1997 to 1999 and 2001 to 2006.

  • Westmount Rugby Club - possibly the oldest rugby club in North America, this team, once known as the Montreal (Rugby) Football Club, merged the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association and later became the Montreal Scottish RFC. After some members left to form the Wanderers and Barbarians, the club settled down in Westmount, and during its glory years in the 1960s challenged for many titles.

  • Town of Mount Royal RFC - founded in 1955, members of this club would later found the Montreal Irish RFC. Situated in TMR and owners of its own clubhouse, this club once was a league powerhouse and has returned to championship form. (Sadly, in 2017 the clubhouse, known as Scobie Hall and owned and home since 1971, burned down)

  • Montreal Wanderers RFC - founded in 1957 as an offshoot of Westmount Rugby Club, and now located in Verdun, this team was one of the premier teams in eastern Canada during the 1960s.

  • Montreal Irish RFC - founded in 1957, this urban based team later moved out to its own grounds and clubhouse in the rural suburbs of Montréal. Once a powerhouse, with First Division championships in 1958, 1959, 1969 and 1982, and a Second Division title in 1982. The club has more recently returned to prominence winning the Premier Division Championship in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018

Ontario based clubs playing in Quebec

The early years of the Québec Rugby Union saw several teams from Ontario, specifically the Ottawa Valley, become league members. In 1956 the Bytown Beavers left the Ontario Rugby Union to play in Montreal because the travel for away games was shorter.. Teams from Ontario would continue to play in Quebec until 1982, winning 10 championships in 27 seasons, but would all eventually leave to join the Eastern Ontario Rugby Union which was formed in 1979.

  • Bytown Beavers RFC - played their first game against Westmount Rugby Club on October 20, 1951 at Ashbury College. Playing in the Québec Rugby Union in 1956 and becoming the Ottawa Beavers RFC in 1959, they won the Québec championship in 1966, 1970, 1972, 1974 and 1977, before leaving the league.

  • Ottawa Indians RFC - founded in 1962 with players from the Bytown Beavers RFC, they played the first game between Ottawa based teams, losing to the Beavers by 6-3 in September, 1962. Having played in Quebec, they would eventually change their team name to the Ottawa Ospreys RFC in 2018.

  • Ottawa Irish RFC - founded in 1963 from players that split off from the Bytown Beavers RFC, they played in the Québec Rugby Union, winning championships in 1975, 1976, 1979 and 1980. Additionally, they won the Eastern Canadian championship (Carling Cup) in 1979, 1980, and 1981.

  • Deep River Blues RFC - founded in the late 1950s by scientists who worked at the Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories in Chalk River, the club played into the 1970s, winning the Quebec championship in 1968.

  • Ottawa Scottish RFC - was founded in 1976, played in Quebec, and later relocated and renamed Barrhaven Scottish RFC.

  • Bytown Blues RFC was formed in 1971.

  • Lynwood (Village) RFC won the Intermediate (Second Division) championship in 1979 and competed at the inaugural Canadian-American Rugby Tournament in 1974.

First French Canadian rugby club

The Amicale XV rugby club of Montreal, as reported in Montréal-Matin, played it first game on September 1, 1968, being both the first and only French rugby club in Canada.

  • Amicale Franco-Canadienne XV - played their first game on September 1, 1968, beating the Montreal Irish RFC 11-3 at Rarymont School stadium. The next week they beat the Ottawa Indians RFC 14-3 in Ottawa on September 8, and were hosting the Ottawa Beavers RFC in Montreal the next weekend. On October 26, 1968 Amicale lost to the Montreal Wanderers RFC by 9-3 in Intermediate (or Second Division) play. The team played only in the fall of 1968.

First Expansion

The union began to expand in the 1970s and 1980s, with its first wave of new clubs. Additionally, for a good part of the 1970s several Ottawa based rugby teams regularly completed in the QRU, including the Ottawa Indians, Ottawa Irish, Ottawa Beavers, Ottawa Scottish and the Deep River Blues. Of particular importance was the entry of the Club de rugby Parc olympique into the FRQ, as it was the second primarily francophone team (and first permanent team) in the federation.

  • Ormstown Saracens RFC - formed in 1972, this was the first rural based team in the union. They challenged for and won several championships during the 1970s and 1980s. The Ormstown Saracens Rugby Football Club, founded by Rod Beattie and Dave Hardy, wear red and navy blue. In the 1980s the Saracens were successful, finishing first in the league in 1981, ‘82, ‘84 and ‘87. They won the Standard Life Cup (First Division Cup) in 1985.

  • Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC - known commonly as "SABRFC", Ste-Anne-de-Bellvue RFC originated around 1964 as the McDonald College (the agricultural school of McGill University) team situated in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue on the westernmost part of the island of Montréal. Officially changed to Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC in 1981, they have been the dominant team in the FRQ, winning 17 Senior titles (81, 83, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 07, 08, 09, 12, 13, 16) and 11 Intermediate titles (83, 86, 87, 89, 91, 92, 02, 09, 10, 11, 13). In 2013, SABRFC's three Senior Men's teams swept the FRQ Premiership, Reserves, and Division IV leagues.

  • Montreal Grads RFC - originally the McGill Graduates, formed by grads of that university, this popular social side played at Trenholme Park in Notre Dame de Grace during the 1970s and 1980s, after which it disbanded, never winning a cup. Legal activist James Lockyer was one of the founders.

  • Chateauguay River Rats RFC - this successful but short lived team played on the South Shore and won one Second Division title during its time in the 1980s.

  • Beaconsfield RFC - formed in 1983 and playing in the West Island, this team took many of its talented players from the English language high schools of the area, and later progressed to the First Division. They won the 2nd Division championship in 1984 and 2007.

  • St. Lambert Locks RFC - formed in 1984 this South Shore team won the Second Division title in 1984 and 1986, and has added Senior titles in 1995, 96 and 2000. Members of this club would form the Montreal Exiles.

  • Club de rugby Parc Olympique - formed in 1983 and originally situated at the training field at the Olympic Stadium, this highly competitive team won several titles. Its greatest significance was that it was the second francophone team in what was predominantly an anglophone organization. The formation of this team marked a true turning point in the history of rugby in Québec.

  • Brome Lake Ducks RFC - formed in 1986 and the first team to be situated in the Eastern Townships, this young club survived many enjoyable but hard fought seasons to eventually become a two time championship team (2005 and 2006.)

Recent Expansion

The FRQ experienced substantial growth in the past three decades, and has added many new clubs, especially because rugby now enjoys a much greater popularity in French language school boards.

  • Club de Rugby de Québec - founded in 1988 as le Rugby Olympique Club de Québec, merged with Le Celtique de Ste-Foy and les Amazonnes in 2005.

  • Club de rugby les Nomades Laval-Laurentides-Lanaudières - founded in 1990, located in Laval.

  • Les Braves de Trois-Rivières - founded in 1993 by Edward Daly

  • Rugby Club de Montréal - founded in 1995 and plays at Plateau Mont-Royal. Won the Provincial 1 division in 2003 and made it to the provincial Super League final in 2004. Won the Provincial 1 division reserve and Provincial 3 division in 2008, and the Provincial 1 reserve division in 2022 and 2003. Their women's side won the Quebec Cup in 2007.

  • Barracudas Rugby de St-Jean sur Richelieu - founded in 1998, in 2025 they entered into an agreement with the St. Lambert Locks RFC and are represented by that team.

  • Sherbrooke Abenakis RFC - founded in 1998

  • Mont-Tremblant RFC- founded in 2008.

  • Rugby XV de Montréal - founded in 2010.

  • NDG Dragons Rugby Club - founded in 2011 and located in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, the club is primarily youth rugby, though the team did play in the 2017 Developmental League.

  • Armada Montreal RFC - founded in 2014, Armada Montréal RFC is the first inclusive gay rugby club in Quebec, welcoming all players regardless of sexual orientation. They have played in league competitions, but usually play friendly and competitive matches, sometimes in Montreal, sometimes on the road, and participates in national and international tournaments.

  • les Gladiateurs (Rugby Outaouais) - founded in 2015.

  • Club de Rugby Rabaska de Victoriaville - founded in 2016, primarily youth rugby.

  • Club de Rugby Lumberjacks (St-Georges) - founded in 2017

  • Rugby Châteauguay - founded in 2021

  • Rugby Club Ottawa - founded in 2024.

  • Montréal Phénix Rugby - founded in 2025.

No longer playing:

  • Le Mirage de Gatineau - part of L’association de Rugby Régionale de l’Outaouais, played in 2005

  • Beauport Logers - which merged later with Club de Rugby de Québec

  • Les Patriotes du Vieux-Montréal - founded 2005

  • Montreal Exiles - founded in 2011, with players from St. Lambert Locks RFC

  • Chelsea RFC - founded in 2005, Chelsea Rugby was a youth development program.

  • Le club de rugby Les Gaulois - played in 2023 as a youth development program.

Two teams, the Chateauguay Hammerheads and Hudson Highlanders, played at the turn of the century, but have ceased.

Current Clubs (as of 2025 season)

Source:

  • SUPER LEAGUE - men (and reserve division) : Beaconsfield RFC, Town of Mount Royal RFC, Rugby Club de Montréal, Club de Rugby de Québec, Club de rugby Sainte-Anne de Bellevue, Parc Olympique

    LEAGUE 1 - men (and reserve division) : Montreal Irish RFC, Montreal Wanderers RFC, Rugby Club Ottawa, Abénakis de Sherbrooke, XV de Montréal, Westmount Rugby Club

    LEAGUE 2 - men : St-Lambert Locks RFC, Brome Lake Ducks, Braves de Trois-Rivières, Ormstown Saracens RFC, Mont-Tremblant RFC

    LEAGUE 3 - men : Montréal Phénix Rugby, Nomades de Laval, Club de rugby Sainte-Anne de Bellevue III, Parc Olympique III, St-Lambert Locks RFC II (aka Barracudas Rugby de St-Jean sur Richelieu), Montreal Barbarians RFC

    SUPER LEAGUE - women : Club de Rugby de Québec, Town of Mount Royal RFC, Club de rugby Sainte-Anne de Bellevue, Rugby Club Ottawa

    LEAGUE 1 - women : Montreal Irish RFC, Beaconsfield RFC, Club de Rugby de Québec II, Abénakis de Sherbrooke, Club de rugby Sainte-Anne de Bellevue II

    LEAGUE 2 - women : Rugby Club de Montréal, St-Georges Lumberjacks, Montreal Wanderers RFC, Braves de Trois-Rivières, Beaconsfield RFC II, Town of Mount Royal RFC II, Club de Rugby de Québec III, Montreal Barbarians RFC

    LEAGUE 3 - women : Montreal Irish RFC II, Rugby Châteauguay, Ormstown Saracens RFC, Westmount Rugby Club, Mont-Tremblant RFC, Rugby Club Ottawa II

Rugby Quebec Men's Cup Champions

Recent Men's Champions

SOURCE

Note - league and cup competition was halted in 2020 and the cup was cancelled in 2021 due to covid.NOTE: in 2023 4 teams from 1 League (Rugby Club de Montréal, Westmount, Montreal Wanderers, Abénakis de Sherbrooke) were combined with 4 teams from 2 League (Brome Lake Ducks, Ormstown Saracens, St-Lambert Locks, Braves de Trois-Rivières) and played an interlocking, uneven schedule for League play, but not Cup playoffs.NOTE: in 2023 4 teams from 1 Reserve League (Rugby Club de Montréal II, Westmount II, Montreal Wanderers II, Abénakis de Sherbrooke II) were combined with 5 teams from 3 League (Montreal Barbarians, XV de Montréal, Mont-Tremblant RFC, Nomades de Laval, Rabaska de Victoriaville) and played an interlocking, uneven schedule for League play, but not Cup playoffs.NOTE: in 2023 4 teams from 1 Reserve League (Rugby Club de Montréal II, Westmount II, Montreal Wanderers II, Abénakis de Sherbrooke II) were combined with 5 teams from 3 League (Montreal Barbarians, XV de Montréal, Mont-Tremblant RFC, Nomades de Laval, Rabaska de Victoriaville) and played an interlocking, uneven schedule for League play, but not Cup playoffs.NOTE: in 2023 4 teams from 1 League (Rugby Club de Montréal, Westmount, Montreal Wanderers, Abénakis de Sherbrooke) were combined with 4 teams from 2 League (Brome Lake Ducks, Ormstown Saracens, St-Lambert Locks, Braves de Trois-Rivières) and played an interlocking, uneven schedule for League play, but not Cup playoffs.

Recent Women's Champions

SOURCE

Note - league and cup competition was halted in 2020 and the cup was cancelled in 2021 due to covid.NOTE: in 2022 there were two League One consolation cup finals. For teams finishing 5th to 8th place, Abénakis de Sherbrooke beat Montreal Wanderers 50-15 For teams finishing 9th to 13th place, Ottawa Banshees beat Town of Mount Royal RFC II 60-26

References