The Lusitanos XV kicked off their Rugby Europe Super Cup season with a dominant win. They beat the Bohemia Warriors 42-21 on Saturday. This victory immediately put them at the top of the standings. They now share the lead with the Castilla y León Iberians, both teams having five points.
The Portuguese Rugby Federation franchise had a tight game early on, ending the first half tied at 14-14. However, they pulled away after the break. They secured an offensive bonus point thanks to scoring six tries to the Czech team’s three. The Lusitanos are currently only behind the Iberians in point difference. The Spanish side had a massive 66-20 win over the Brussels Devils on Friday.
Elsewhere on the opening weekend, the Netherlands’ Delta team traveled to face the Romanian Wolves. Delta emerged victorious with a 40-17 score, but they did not earn a bonus point. This places them third in the standings with four points. The Iberians and Lusitanos lead with five points each. The Bohemia Warriors, Wolves, and Devils are currently without any points.
A League for Growth
The Rugby Europe Super Cup is more than just a competition; it’s a mission. Rugby Europe launched this franchise league in 2021/22. Its main goal is to help develop rugby in nations where the sport is still growing. It creates a higher level of competition for these teams.
The Lusitanos XV, backed by the Portuguese Rugby Federation, has been a part of this journey from the very beginning. They are one of the original teams, alongside the Belgian Brussels Devils, the Spanish Castilla y León Iberians, and the Dutch Delta. These teams have been shaping the league since its first edition.
The Lusitanos have a strong history in the Super Cup. They reached the final twice, finishing as runners-up in both 2022 and 2024. In both instances, they fell to the powerful Georgian Black Lion team. Black Lion had been the champion of all four previous editions. Notably, Black Lion is not competing in the current season, opening up the field for new contenders.
Season Format and Playoff Path
The 2025/26 Rugby Europe Super Cup features a round-robin format. Six teams will battle it out: Lusitanos XV, Bohemia Warriors (Czech Republic), Brussels Devils (Belgium), Castilla y León Iberians (Spain), Delta (Netherlands), and Romanian Wolves (Romania). Each team will play every other team.
The top four teams at the end of this round-robin phase will advance to the semifinals in January. The highest-ranked teams will host these crucial matches. The grand final will also be played at the home ground of the best-ranked team among the two finalists. This setup promises exciting rugby and rewards consistency throughout the season.