The Greatest Rivalries in Rugby History (Ranked)

From the biggest club derby in England to legendary international showdowns, here are the five greatest rivalries in rugby that every fan looks forward to whenever the schedule is released.

Few club rivalries can match the intensity of Leicester Tigers against Northampton Saints.

The East Midlands Derby, first played in 1888, is one of English rugby's oldest fixtures and has never lost its edge. With just 43 miles separating the two clubs, local pride adds another layer to every meeting.

The fixture has produced some unforgettable moments, from fights and red cards to dramatic knockout matches.

Dylan Hartley's dismissal in the 2013 Premiership final, Northampton's memorable 2014 semi-final victory and the emotional Twickenham clash played in support of Rob Horne have all added to its history. League position rarely matters when these sides meet.

It remains one of PREM Rugby's biggest occasions.

England's biggest Six Nations rivalry could easily be argued to be against Wales or Ireland, but clashes with France continue to produce some of the competition's defining moments.

Known as Le Crunch, the fixture became especially significant during the 1980s and 1990s when both nations regularly battled for Five Nations titles.

The rivalry extends well beyond the Six Nations, with memorable Rugby World Cup meetings and countless high stakes encounters over the years.

Their meeting in this year's Six Nations finale was another classic, as Thomas Ramos kicked the decisive penalty with the final play to secure the championship for France. Whenever these sides meet, there is usually silverware or pride on the line.

Australia and New Zealand have shared one of rugby's longest standing rivalries since their first Test in Sydney in 1903, when the All Blacks claimed a 22-3 victory. Since 1931, the teams have competed for the Bledisloe Cup, one of the sport's most iconic trophies.

Having faced each other more than 180 times, no international rivalry has been played more often.

New Zealand has enjoyed the upper hand throughout much of the rivalry, but every Bledisloe contest remains one of the biggest occasions in the rugby calendar. Tradition, history and fierce trans-Tasman competition ensure these matches never lack intensity.

No trophy in international rugby carries more history than the Calcutta Cup. Contested annually between Scotland and England in the Six Nations, it is the oldest trophy played for between two international rugby teams.

The origins of the rivalry stretch back to the 19th century, with the Calcutta Cup itself created after the Calcutta Rugby Club disbanded in India.

More than a century later, the fixture still captures the imagination. Historic upsets, dramatic finishes and the fierce rivalry between neighbouring nations have made it one of rugby's most treasured contests.

Scotland's ability in recent years to up their game against the English always makes for an interesting encounter.

No rivalry defines international rugby quite like South Africa against New Zealand. Between them, the Springboks and All Blacks have won seven Rugby World Cups, with both nations lifting the Webb Ellis Cup more than any other.

While New Zealand still holds the overall advantage in the head to head record, South Africa has enjoyed the better of the recent meetings under Rassie Erasmus.

The Springboks have won five of their last six clashes, including the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, and also handed the All Blacks their heaviest ever defeat with a 43-10 victory in 2025. Whenever these two giants meet, it feels like the biggest match in world rugby.

Since rugby turned professional in 1995, England have had a host of captains lead the team through World Cups, Grand Slams, Lions tours and some of the biggest moments in the sport's history.

From World Cup-winning legends to short-term stand-ins, how many England captains of the professional era can you name?

You have five minutes to name them all. Good luck!?