Castres

Castres Olympique is a professional French rugby union team that plays in the Top 14, the top level of the French league system. The team has claimed five Top 14 titles throughout its history, with the most recent of those coming in 2018.

The formation of Castres Olympique can be traced back to a group of ex-students of Castres Municipal College, who met at a bar in 1898. Following the gathering, the students decided to make their own team so that they could continue playing their favourite sport: rugby union. 

For the first several years of existence, Castres Rugby Club was part of a multisport club. However, the members of Castres rugby section were unhappy that the cycling club received preferential treatment. As a result, in 1906, the rugby section decided to leave and form Castres Olympique.

From there, the popularity and success of the team skyrocketed. Only 15 years later, Castres reached the French first division, and they've stayed there almost permanently ever since.

During their time in the top flight of French rugby, Castres Olympique have won the French championship on five occasions (most recently in 2018). Plus, the Castres rugby team also won the Coupe de France in 1948 and finished as runners-up in the 1993 Challenge Yves du Manoir.

Castres Olympique have also represented France in major European competitions over the years. In 2003, the Castres rugby side won the European Shield. Plus, in both 1997 and 2000, the side finished as runners-up in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.

Think Castres can capture the Top 14 title once again, or finally claim European glory in the European Rugby Challenge Cup or the European Rugby Champions Cup? Follow the team’s fortunes with RugbyPass.