From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
Algeria national rugby union team
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Algeria |
| Nickname | Les Lionceaux (The Lion Cubs) |
| Badge | flag of Algeria.svg |
| Badge_size | 150 |
| Emblem | Two Lions |
| Union | Algerian Rugby Federation |
| Confederation | Rugby Africa |
| Coach | Ousmane Mané |
| Captain | Rabah Abdelkader |
| Most caps | Rabah Abdelkader (13) |
| Top scorer | Johan Bensalla (59) |
| Top try scorer | Rémi Cardon (4) |
| Home Stadium | Ahmed Zabana Stadium |
| World Rugby Trigramme | DZA |
| pattern_la1 | _redborder |
| pattern_b1 | _rioave1415a |
| pattern_ra1 | _redborder |
| leftarm1 | FFFFFF |
| body1 | FFFFFF |
| rightarm1 | FFFFFF |
| shorts1 | FFFFFF |
| socks1 | FFFFFF |
| World Rugby Rank | 43 |
| World Rugby Rank date | 21 July 2025 |
| World Rugby max | 43 |
| World Rugby max year | 2025 |
| World Rugby min | 92 |
| World Rugby min year | 2021 |
| First game | Unofficial |
| 7–8 Algeria DZA | |
| (Nabeul, Tunisia; 24 February 2007) | |
| Official | |
| 5–26 Algeria DZA | |
| (Merlimau, Malaysia; 6 June 2015) | |
| Largest win | Unofficial |
| DZA Algeria 50–0 | |
| (Cairo, Egypt; 26 October 2010) | |
| 0–50 DZA Algeria | |
| (Cairo, Egypt; 29 October 2010)** | |
| Official** | |
| 0–31 Algeria DZA | |
| (Mufulira, Zambia; 20 October 2018) | |
| Largest loss | Official 29-3 Algeria DZA |
| (Kampala, Uganda; 29 July 2024) |
| World Rugby Rank date = 21 July 2025 | World Rugby max year = 2025 | World Rugby min year = 2021 7–8 Algeria DZA (Nabeul, Tunisia; 24 February 2007) Official 5–26 Algeria DZA (Merlimau, Malaysia; 6 June 2015) DZA Algeria 50–0 (Cairo, Egypt; 26 October 2010) 0–50 DZA Algeria (Cairo, Egypt; 29 October 2010)** Official** 0–31 Algeria DZA (Mufulira, Zambia; 20 October 2018) (Kampala, Uganda; 29 July 2024)
The Algeria national rugby union team represents the Algerian Rugby Federation (FAR) in men's international rugby union. The first match they competed in was on 24 February 2007, in a game in Tunis against the Tunisia national rugby union team (to which Algeria won by 8–7). While almost all current national team players play for clubs in the French championship, there are some national players who practice the sport in Australia, New Zealand, Romania and England. The first coach of the Algeria national rugby union team was Morad Kellal.
History
Before 2015
Rugby was played on Algerian territory during French colonization. After this period, its practice decreased rapidly, until disappearing in 1972. At the invitation of the Tunisia national rugby union team, Algeria played their first international match on 27 February 2007 against Tunisia, a match Algeria won 8 to 7.
In 2010, the Algerian rugby team participated in its first official tournament organized by the Confederation of African Rugby, the 2010 CAR Development Trophy which took place in Cairo, Egypt. Algeria emerged victorious from the tournament and won its first trophy by beating Egypt team in the final.
2015: return of rugby union in Algeria
Crescent Cup Rugby Championship
On 1 June 2015, the Algerian Rugby Union team flew to Malaysia for the Crescent Cup Rugby Championship, their first official international competition. The Algerian rugby union team started its tournament with a 26–5 victory against the Kazakhstan team, ranked Algeria reached the final of the competition against Malaysian team, but the match was stopped due to riots between the players.
Creation of the national federation
On 17 November 2015, the federation was formally established in Algiers at a general assembly meeting chaired by Mustapha Larfaoui, Honorary President of the Algerian Olympic Committee Olympic and Sports Algerian and in the presence of 18 clubs representing 16 wilayas. Sofiane Benhassen is elected the first president of the Algerian rugby union (FAR). Membership in the continental federation Rugby Africa is planned in December 2016.
The first official match played under the auspices of the Algerian federation on 18 December 2015 Oran against the Tunisia. Salim and Djemaï Tebani are breeders of this first official meeting on Algerian soil. In Ahmed Zabana Stadium of Oran, Algeria won this game 16–6 with a team consisting mainly of players based in France and two players trained in Algerian clubs.
Launch of the Maghreb Tri-Nations
In December 2016, the Algerian Rugby Federation in collaboration with Rugby Africa will organize the first edition of a Maghreb Tri-nations grouping Algeria, Tunisia national rugby union team and the Morocco national rugby union team. World Rugby has validated it, and the event will take place at Oran, Algeria.
Africa Cup
The Algerian team, in their first participation in the tournament, signed in the North Group with Cameroon and Nigeria, but the Cameroonian team had been postponed through lack of organization that Rugby Africa disqualified Cameroon and suspended the activity of the country's federation for three months. which made the organizing committee to play a home-and-home series matches against Nigeria in Zambia, but the latter also withdrew to be a final Winner North vs Winner South against Zambia 4 November 2017 at Mufulira Leopards Rugby Club. in a historic match as the first official match to enable the Algerian team to win a 30–25 in the first defeat to Zambia in its home since 2002. the Algerian national team will play next season in the Rugby Africa Silver Cup.
Home grounds
Algeria play internationals since it first receives match on 2015 at Ahmed Zabana Stadium in Oran.
Record
Tournaments
Rugby World Cup
| World Cup record | World Cup Qualification record | Year | Round | P | W | D | L | F | A | P | W | D | L | F | A | Total | 0/11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 193 | 130 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUSNZL 1987 | Not invited | – | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ENG FRA Ireland SCO WAL 1991 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RSA 1995 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WAL 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUS 2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FRA 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NZL 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ENG 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| JPN 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FRA 2023 | Did not qualify | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 130 | 98 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUS 2027 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 63 | 32 |
Rugby Africa Cup
| Rugby Africa Cup record | Year | Round | P | W | D | L | F | A | Total | 5/20 | 15 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 354 | 239 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 to 2016 | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ZAM 2017 | Champions Bronze Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||
| ZAM 2018 | Champions Silver Cup | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 76 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2019–20 | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| FRA 2021–22 | Third place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 130 | 98 | ||||||||||||||||
| UGA 2024 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 55 | 53 | ||||||||||||||||
| UGA 2025 | Third place | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 63 | 32 |
African Development Trophy
| African Development Trophy record | Year | Round | P | W | D | L | F | A | Total | 1/7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 to 2009 | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| EGY 2010 | Champions North Section | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 0 |
North African Tri Nations
| North African Tri Nations record | Year | Round | P | W | D | L | F | A | Total | 2/2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 75 | 61 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALG 2016 | Third place | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 26 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||
| MAR 2017 | Second place | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 49 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||
| TUN 2018 | Canceled |
Crescent Cup
| Crescent Cup record | Year | Round | P | W | D | L | F | A | Total | 1/1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 52 | 24 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAS 2015 | Second place | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 52 | 24 |
Overall
Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by an Algeria national XV at test level up until 22 November 2025, updated after match with .
| Opponent | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Win % | For | Aga | Diff | Total | 27 | 19 | 8 | 0 | % | 639 | 394 | +245 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | % | 50 | 0 | +50 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | % | 120 | 49 | +71 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | 20 | 22 | −2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | % | 41 | 5 | +36 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.67% | 86 | 75 | +11 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | % | 50 | 0 | +50 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | 11 | 19 | −8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0% | 24 | 32 | −8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | 7 | 21 | -14 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | % | 92 | 42 | +50 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | % | 73 | 53 | +20 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | % | 22 | 16 | +6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | % | 61 | 25 | +36 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | % | 26 | 70 | -44 |
Current squad
The following 45 players were called up for the 2021–22 Rugby Africa Cup matches against GHA Ghana and UGA Uganda.
Head coach: DZA Boumedienne Allam
- Caps Updated: 30 July 2021
Coaches
Current coaching staff
The current coaching staff of the Algerian national team:
| Name | Nationality | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Ousmane Mané | SEN | Head coach |
| Nasser Benamor | ALG | Assistant coach (Forwards) |
| Boris Brahim Bouhraoua | ALG | Assistant coach (Backs) |
| Nordine Badji | ALG | Assistant coach (Backs) |
| Thomas Drouin | FRA | Strength & Conditioning coach |
| Rouabah Nahim | ALG | Strength & Conditioning coach |
| Mustapha Bouguendouz | ALG | Physiotherapist |
| Yanis Hannouche | ALG | Physiotherapist |
Historical coaches
On 31 August 2021, the Senegalese Ousmane Mané was chosen by the FAR as the coach of the national selection succeeding to Boumedienne Allam. Below is a list of historical coaches of the Algeria rugby union national team.
| Year | Coach |
|---|---|
| 2007–2011 | ALG Morad Kellal |
| 2011–2017 | ALG Salah Rebadj |
| ALG Djemaï Tebani | |
| ALG Foudil Youbi | |
| 2017–2021 | ALG Boumedienne Allam |
| 2021– | SEN Ousmane Mané |
Individual all-time records
Most caps
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | Won | Lost | Draw | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Rabah Abdelkader | Flanker | 2015–present | 13 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 69.23 |
| 2. | Boris Bouhraoua | Scrum-half | 2015–present | 12 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 66.67 |
| 3. | Nasser Benamor | Prop | 2015–2018 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 63.64 |
| 4. | Khaled Kahlouchi | Flanker | 2015–present | 10 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 70.00 |
| 4. | Mohamed Belguidoum | Centre | 2015–present | 10 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 70.00 |
| 4. | Djamel Ouchene | Wing | 2015–present | 10 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 87.50 |
| 4. | Maxim Meneghini | Centre | 2016–present | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 70.00 |
| 8. | Lou Bouhraoua | Scrum-half | 2015–present | 9 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 55.56 |
| 9. | Johan Bensalla | Scrum-half | 2015–present | 8 | 59 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 77.78 |
| 9. | Sofiane Chellat | Prop | 2015–present | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 77.78 |
| 9. | Yazid Chouchane | Wing | 2015–present | 8 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 62.50 |
Last updated: Uganda vs Algeria, 18 July 2021. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Most tries
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Yazid Chouchane | Wing | 2015–present | 8 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1. | Rémi Cardon | Flanker | 2017–present | 5 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3. | Yakine Djebbari | lock | 2016–present | 6 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3. | Djamel Ouchene | Wing | 2015–present | 8 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3. | Mohamed Belguidoum | centre | 2015–present | 9 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3. | Walid Batchali | Flanker | 2018–present | 3 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Last updated: Algeria vs Zambia, 20 October 2018. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Most points
| # | Player | Pos | Span | Mat | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Johan Bensalla | Fly-half | 2015–present | 7 | 59 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||
| 2. | Yoan Saby | Fly-half | 2017–present | 5 | 22 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 3. | Yazid Chouchane | Wing | 2015–present | 8 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 3. | Rémi Cardon | Flanker | 2017–present | 5 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 5. | Enzo Kralfa | Scrum-half | 2018–present | 3 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 6. | Lou Bouhraoua | Scrum-half | 2015–present | 9 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 6. | Boris Bouhraoua | Scrum-half | 2015–present | 11 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 8. | Mohamed Belguidoum | centre | 2015–present | 9 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 8. | Walid Batchali | Flanker | 2018–present | 3 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Last updated: Algeria vs Zambia, 20 October 2018. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Most points in a match
| # | Player | Pos | Pts | Tries | Conv | Pens | Drop | Opposition | Venue | Date | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Johan Bensalla | Scrum-half | 15 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ALG Oran | 24 December 2016 | ||||||||||||
| 2. | Yoan Saby | Fly-half | 11 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | FRA Toulouse | 14 July 2018 | ||||||||||||
| 2. | Johan Bensalla | Scrum-half | 11 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | ALG Oran | 18 December 2015 | ||||||||||||
| 4. | Johan Bensalla | Scrum-half | 10 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ZAM Mufulira | 4 November 2017 | ||||||||||||
| 4. | Rémi Cardon | Flanker | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ZAM Mufulira | 4 November 2017 | ||||||||||||
| 4. | Enzo Kralfa | Scrum-half | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | FRA Toulouse | 8 July 2018 |
Last updated: Algeria vs Zambia, 20 October 2018. Statistics include officially capped matches only.
Most tries in a match
References
References
- (31 December 2015). "A l'ombre des Fennecs, les Lionceaux algériens de l'ovale veulent se faire les griffes". rugbyrama.fr.
- (10 July 2014). "En Algérie, les Fennecs rêvent d'avoir une fédération". rugbyrama.fr.
- (16 December 2014). "2010 Africa Development Trophy - North". Redaction.
- (27 May 2015). "Salim Tebani: "On n’est plus les oubliés du sport algérien"". rugbyrama.fr.
- (16 June 2015). "Malaysia v Algeria rugby union final abandoned after savage brawl". [[The Guardian]].
- (19 November 2015). "La Fédération algérienne voit le jour". lequipe.fr.
- (17 November 2015). "La Fédération algérienne de rugby est née". lexpressiondz.com.
- (16 December 2015). "L’Algérie ralliera le Rugby Afrique en décembre 2016". aps.dz.
- (17 December 2015). "Première pour l'Algérie sur son sol". lequipe.fr.
- (18 December 2015). "Première réussie pour l'Algérie". lequipe.fr.
- (17 October 2016). "Zone Afrique : un Tri Nations au Maghreb en décembre". lequipe.fr.
- (14 October 2016). "World Rugby donne son accord pour un Tri-nations à Oran !". lagazettedufennec.com.
- (25 May 2017). "Pas de Coupe d'Afrique pour un rugby camerounais en crise".
- (4 November 2017). "FINALE DE LA BRONZE CUP 2017 : L’EXPLOIT ALGÉRIEN !". rugbyafrique.com.
- (31 August 2021). "le Sénégalais Ousmane Mané nouveau sélectionneur du XV d’Algérie". aps.dz.
This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.
Ask Mako anything about Algeria national rugby union team — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.
Research with MakoFree with your Surf account
Create a free account to save articles, ask Mako questions, and organize your research.
Sign up freeThis content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.
Report