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Wikipedia - Rouen Normandie Rugby
Rouen Normandie Rugby is a French rugby union club from Rouen, currently playing in the second level of the country's professional rugby system, Pro D2.
The team plays in red and black shirts. It plays their home matches at Stade Robert Diochon in Rouen. There are plans to build a new stadium by 2023.
History
The team origins date back to 2009, when a group of rugby fanatics from the Normandy region wanted to build a team in the city of Rouen. Named Stade Rouennais, their primary objective of reaching Fédérale 2 was achieved in 2013.
Seeking further progress, Stade Rouennais hired Richard Hill, former captain of the England team and finalist of the 1991 World Cup, as General Manager in 2013. Under his management the club stabilized itself in Fédérale 2 and then gained promotion to Fédérale 1 in 2014–15.
After this meteoric rise Normand entrepreneurs Jean-Louis Louvel and Eric Leroy invested in the club by becoming the presidents. The club was renamed Rouen Normandie Rugby. The goal was to professionalize the club and extend it to all of Normandy. Richard Hill committed to the club until 2023.
These changes were beneficial, since for the first time in the history of Normandy rugby, Richard Hill lead Rouen Normandy Rugby to become Champion of France of the highest amateur level in 2016–17.
During the 2018–19 Fédérale 1 season Hill led Rouen to victory in the Jean Pratt Trophy, which automatically promoted them to Pro D2.
The team's colors are black and white, and their emblem is a stylized Viking ship, reflecting the city's Viking heritage. Rouen Rugby has a passionate fan base and enjoys strong support from the local community.
The team has produced several notable players over the years, including French internationals such as Jean-Pierre Rives and Olivier Brouzet. They have also had success in domestic competitions, winning the French championship in 1936 and the Challenge Yves du Manoir in 1988.
Rouen Rugby is known for their physical and aggressive style of play, with a strong emphasis on forward dominance and set-piece play. They have a reputation for being a tough team to beat at home, and their matches are often intense and closely contested affairs.
Overall, Rouen Rugby is a proud and historic club with a strong tradition of success and a loyal fan base. They continue to compete at a high level in French rugby and are a respected and formidable opponent for any team they face.