Rugby union is a minor, but developing sport in Jordan.

Governing body

Jordanian rugby is administered by Jordan Rugby,[1] which has been recognized by the Jordan Olympic Committee since 2007.

History

Rugby was first introduced into Jordan by the British. Since then, it has mainly been played by expatriates from the British Commonwealth and foreign workers.

Jordan maintains a close relationship with AGRFU, and their development team includes Ghaith Jalajel, a Jordanian.[2]

The Dubai Sevens has also helped stir up some interest in the sport in Arabic-speaking nations. Jordanian rugby has its own sevens and rugby 15s leagues that consists of Citadel Warriors RFC, Citadel Knights RFC, Nomads RFC, Amman Saracens and Aqaba Sharks.

Lowest rugby match

Jordan has hosted a rugby match at the lowest altitude ever recorded - at over 400 metres below sea level on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea on 29 October 1982.[3] This was between a team representing Aqaba and Safi and another representing Amman.[3] The temperature at the time, was in the 90s (fahrenheit).[3]

National team

The Jordan national rugby union team is a third tier rugby playing international side. Jordan played their first test match against Lebanon on 14 May 2010, in Dubai. They competed in and won the inaugural Asian 5 nations division 3 West competition in 2016.[4]

Rugby clubs in Jordan

There are three clubs in Amman:

  • Nomads Rugby Club
  • Amman Citadel Rugby Club
  • Amman Saracens
  • Sosruka rugby

Outside Amman:

  • Aqaba Sharks

References

  • Cotton, Fran (Ed.) (1984) The Book of Rugby Disasters & Bizarre Records. Compiled by Chris Rhys. London. Century Publishing. ISBN 0-7126-0911-3
  • Richards, Huw A Game for Hooligans: The History of Rugby Union (Mainstream Publishing, Edinburgh, 2007, ISBN 978-1-84596-255-5)
  1. ↑ "Jordan Rugby Union". Archived from the original on 7 June 2009. Retrieved 27 March 2009.
  2. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 September 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. 1 2 3 Cotton, p16
  4. ↑ "Official RWC 2015 Site - Arabian Gulf bow out with A5N victory". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014.


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