The RG Heidelberg ( German : Rudergesellschaft Heidelberg , literally "Heidelberg Rowing Club") is a German rugby union club from Heidelberg , currently playing in the Rugby-Bundesliga . Apart from rugby, the club also offers the sport of rowing .
63-606: The club was formed on 4 June 1898 as a rowing club. Out of necessity to have an alternative sport in winter, frozen rivers made rowing naturally impossible, the rugby department of the club was formed in 1919. The RGH was the third rugby club to be formed in Heidelberg, after the Heidelberger RK and the SC Neuenheim , making it easy for the new team to find opposition to play against. The SC 1880 Frankfurt and
126-501: A Germany national XV at test level up until 17 March 2024 , updated after match with [REDACTED] Netherlands . German 23-player squad for their match against UK Armed Forces in November 2023, and in preparation for their test match against United Arab Emirates Head Coaches: [REDACTED] Mark Kuhlmann The following players have captained Germany in the recent past: The following coaches have led Germany in
189-604: A closely fought final, winning 12-9. Having won the men's national cup and sevens championship as well as the national championship and sevens championship with the women's, the HRK took out all five available national titles in 2010-11. In 2011-12, the club also took part in the North Sea Cup , a European Cup competition made up of two clubs each from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. The club once more finished top of
252-599: A defeat in its opening game of the 2010–2012 European Nations Cup First Division B , losing to Poland 17–22 after leading 17–9 at half time. The defeat was seen as unnecessary by the President of the German Rugby Federation, Claus-Peter Bach , but he also considered Poland's victory as deserved. Germany went into the match with a new coach and assistant, a new captain, Alexander Widiker and five uncapped players. Germany finally achieved its first win in
315-478: A determined German team. Germany remained in the second division of the European Nations Cup until 2008, when it achieved promotion to the top level, facing Europe's number 7 to 11 teams in 2009 and 2010. Its declared aim at this level was to avoid relegation; qualification for the 2011 Rugby World Cup was not really expected from the team. With over 8,000 spectators, Germany's home game against
378-439: A full player squad for the whole season. Shortly after, the club announced that the team would instead compete in the tier-three 3rd Liga South/West in 2011-12. RGH finished first in their group in the 2012-13 season and qualified for the south/west division of the championship round, where it also came first. The club advanced to the semi-finals of the play-offs where it was knocked out by SC Neuenheim , losing 18–32. In 2013–14
441-416: A halt and Germany only played one more game, against Italy, in 1940. Germany lost almost a complete first XV in the war, and thus came out of it as a much weaker side, never able to repeat its pre-war successes. After an absence of 12 years, Germany, now considerably reduced in size and under the name of Federal Republic of Germany , played its first post-war international in 1952, beating Belgium 16–9. At
504-574: A lack of home ground, the HRK formed a youth department and moved to the Sportgelände an der Speyererstraße in 1961, which is still its current home. This development soon bore fruit and the club earned three championships in the 1970s, also qualifying for the new Rugby-Bundesliga in 1971. The club continued to be a force in German rugby well into the 80's, earning its last championship in 1986. After
567-520: A loss to Poland, Germany finished 2012 with a win over Moldova. The German team lost a warm up match to a Welsh student selection in February 2013 before winning its first competitive match in 2013, against Czech Republic, 27-8. Germany finished the first phase of the campaign with a 73-17 victory over Sweden. Germany's coach Torsten Schippe resigned from his post in April 2013, citing work commitments as
630-641: A match against the New Zealand Ambassadors XV which it won 21–19. Germany then lost to Namibia 58–20. Germany is competing in the European Nations Cup First Division 1A in 2014–16 . It is facing Georgia, Portugal, Romania, Russia and Spain in this competition, the same opponents it faced at its last stint at this level when it lost all ten games and was relegated. Germany began its ENC campaign in February 2015 with an 8–64 loss against Georgia. It also lost
693-436: A period of decline, it found itself in the 2nd Rugby-Bundesliga, where it was promoted from back to the first division in 1997. After a short stint in this league, the team had to return to the 2nd Bundesliga in 2000, where it was to remain for the next couple of seasons. The club dominated the 2nd Bundesliga South/West in 2004-05, winning all 16 regular season games, the largest win being a 146-5 victory over BSC Offenbach . In
SECTION 10
#1732787543060756-493: A place in the 2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup . After two away wins the club played its first home game against Belgian side Kituro, which it won, thereby also opening its new home ground which has an artificial turf surface. Heidelberg lost its final game of the competition to Timișoara and was eliminated. In the Bundesliga Heidelberg completed the regular season unbeaten and defeated SC Germania List in
819-463: A sport otherwise fully amateur in Germany was made possible through the support of Hans-Peter Wild , who owns a soft drink manufacturing business. Heidelberger RK was to become the first German club to take part in either of the two major European rugby union competitions after they qualified for the 2018-19 European Rugby Challenge Cup via winning their semi-final against Timișoara Saracens in
882-518: The 2017-18 European Rugby Continental Shield . European Professional Club Rugby announced that Heidelberger would be excluded as they were under the ownership of Wild, who was simultaneously the owner of another Challenge Cup side, Stade Francais . Following the decision, Wild announced he was withdrawing support for the club. The club's origins date back to 1872, when, on 9 May, the Deutschen Flaggen-Club Heidelberg
945-519: The RGH and Germany again, while Pierre Faber and Fabian Heimpel were new additions to the club's list of internationals. In the 2010–12 campaign , Manuel Wilhelm, Mustafa Güngör, Tim Coly and Fabian Heimpel were re-selected for Germany, with Güngör leaving RGH at the end of the 2010-11 season, while Bastian Himmer was a new selection. For the opening match of the 2012–14 edition of the ENC against Ukraine
1008-628: The RGH made four more losing appearances in the German championship final. In 1959, the club appeared in another final, losing once more but in 1967 it finally won its first national title, winning the German rugby union cup . After another finals defeat in 1970 and the introduction of the Rugby-Bundesliga in 1971, the club formed its very successful youth department in 1972. In 1980, the team finally won its first German title, followed by another three in 1997, 2006 and 2007 . The 2006 final,
1071-826: The Six Nations . Germany's greatest achievement in men's rugby is arguably the silver medal won at the 1900 Olympic Games . Germany's declared aim was originally to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, but then lowered this ambition to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, for which it also failed to qualify. The national side is ranked 30th in the world (as of 26 April 2021). The German rugby union team's history began on 17 April 1927, when they played France in Paris, losing 5–30. The team established itself in their early years as number two in continental Europe, behind
1134-402: The 2007 German final, a repeat in the following season was not possible and the favorites from Frankfurt took out the title that year. After this, the club was unable to advance past the semi-final stage of the German championship. On 22 August 2011, five days before the start of the season, the club withdrew its reserve team from the 2nd Rugby-Bundesliga South/West, citing inability to guarantee
1197-609: The 2016–17 Championship Division of the Europe International Championships. The performance of the German team since introduction of the European Nations Cup in 2000. The following table shows all German wins during the Rugby World Cup era (1987–present) against teams that have played in a Rugby World Cup. Source: Results listed includes games that was played as West Germany. See East Germany for results recorded by East Germany. Until
1260-494: The 86th in the competition's history, produced a novelty in the history of the game in Germany, with RGH and SC Neuenheim two clubs from Heidelberg competed for the title, for the first time. It was also the first time that no club from Hannover stood in the final. In 1996, the club moved to its current home ground, the Fritz-Grunebaum-Sportpark . While the club managed to upset SC 1880 Frankfurt in
1323-597: The B level. After this, the team dropped briefly to the C level in 1985 but promptly returned to the second tier. With the German reunification , in 1991, the German Democratic Republic national rugby union team was dissolved and became part of the Federal Republic's team. In 1994, Horst Kemmling , Germany's long-standing captain, ended his international career, having played a record number of 50 games for Germany from 1976 onwards. With
SECTION 20
#17327875430601386-638: The British Forces in Germany in January 2010 had to be called off twice because of bad weather. Despite disappointing results on the field and the distinct possibility of Germany being relegated, the sport made some progress in the country in 2009–10. With the admittance of sevens rugby to the Olympic Games, rugby in Germany is now eligible for federal grants. Additionally, the Bundeswehr ,
1449-545: The ENC since 26 April 2008, when it beat the Netherlands in Amsterdam on 27 November 2010. Its last victory in the European competition had come at the same place against the same opposition, just over 31-month earlier. After a disappointing first half of the campaign, where Germany only won one of its five games, the team improved and won three in the second half, consequently finishing fourth overall out of six teams. With
1512-579: The French. They played 14 tests against their neighbour before the Second World War , winning two of them. As an indication of the team's strength, they did not lose to any team but France until 1937, when Italy beat them 9–7. Because Germany never played any of the Home nations , it is difficult to judge the true strength of the team from that era. With the outbreak of the war in 1939, rugby came to
1575-532: The German army, has agreed to admit eight to ten players per year to its sports program, making those players effectively professionals. In October 2009, the DRV decided to set its aim at playing two friendlies every year in November at home and two in January abroad. It also plans to organise a 10-day tour in Europe every year from 2013. After disappointing results against Georgia, Portugal and Romania in spring 2010,
1638-527: The German team had only one regular player in its side, captain Kehoma Brenner , the team was referred to as Germany A . Mustafa Güngör became Germany's new captain on 8 December 2009, after the retirement of the previous captain Jens Schmidt , and played his first game in this role four days later, against Hong Kong. Germany fielded eight uncapped players in this game. A planned game against
1701-539: The Netherlands in Hanover , at the Rudolf-Kalweit-Stadion in April 2007, achieved the best crowd figures for a rugby match in Germany since the pre-Second World War days. Germany was unbeaten at home from 12 November 2000, when it lost to Ukraine, until 8 November 2008, when it lost to a Welsh selection. In March 2009, coach Mark Kuhlmann stepped down after three and a half years in office, while
1764-477: The North Sea Cup. HRK finished first in their group in the 2012-13 season and qualified for the south/west division of the championship round, where it also came first. The club won its fourth consecutive German championship defeating SC Neuenheim 41-10 in the final. In the North Sea Cup the club reached the final where it defeated Belgian club Boitsfort Rugby Club 34-10 to take out the competition for
1827-413: The club beat SC Neuenheim , to reach its first national championship final since 1986, where it narrowly lost 11-8 to SC 1880 Frankfurt . The following season, HRK finished third in the league but reached the final once more, this time defeating SC 1880 39-22 in extra time, to earn its first national championship since 1986. It repeated this achievement in 2010-11 when it defeated Frankfurt once more in
1890-405: The club had only Manuel Wilhelm selected for the team. The club had six players selected for the German under-18 team at the 2009 European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship , these being Elmar Heimpel, Nicolas Kurzer, Bastian Himmer, Robert Hittel, Luis Becker and Raffael Ruck . Of these, Elmar Heimpel, Luis Becker and Robert Hittel also played at the 2010 tournament, as did Nicolas Kurzer, who
1953-413: The club's list of German internationals. Felix Lammers marked his first regular season of international rugby with a try in the 18-26 defeat against Russia in Heidelberg on March 2, 2019 in week 3 of the 2019 Rugby Europe Championship . Germany national rugby union team The Germany national rugby union team represents Germany in men's international competitions. It currently plays at
RG Heidelberg - Misplaced Pages Continue
2016-711: The club's list of internationals. In the 2010–12 campaign , Raphael Pyrasch , Pieter Jordaan , Alexander Widiker , Arthur Zeiler , Daniel Armitage , Sean Armstrong and Kehoma Brenner were all new additions to the club's list of German internationals, while Patrick Schliwa, Anjo Buckman, Steffen Liebig and Tim Kasten appeared again. For the opening match of the 2012–14 edition of the ENC against Ukraine Sean Armstrong, Anjo Buckman, Pieter Jordaan, Alexander Widiker, Arthur Zeiler, Steffen Liebig, Kehoma Brenner and Rafael Pyrasch where once more selected while Benjamin Danso , Raynor Parkinson and Samy Füchsel were new additions to
2079-524: The final against the North/East champion DSV 78/08 Ricklingen , an 18-6 victory meant promotion back to the Bundesliga. Since then, the club has existed as a lower table side in the league, sitting just above the relegation zone. In 2008-09 , the club's performance has much improved and a second place saw the team return to the German finals for the first time in over 20 years. In the semi-finals,
2142-635: The final game against Moldova, Germany's captain Alexander Widiker played his 50th game for his country, thereby equaling Horst Kemmling 's record. Germany again competed in the European Nations Cup First Division B in 2012–2014 , once more facing Poland, Moldova and the Czech Republic. Additionally, it also competed against Ukraine, relegated from the A group, and Sweden, promoted from the Second Division. Germany's first match
2205-507: The first time. The club remained unbeaten during the 2013–14 regular season, finishing first in the south-west championship round, receiving a bye for the first round of the play-offs and advancing to the finals after victories over RK 03 Berlin and Berliner RC . Heidelberg won its fifth consecutive title when it defeated TV Pforzheim 43–20 in Pforzheim. In the 2014–15 season the club once again remained unbeaten and finished first in
2268-497: The first-ever game against a South American opponent Germany won 29–12 and thereby climbed to 27th spot in the world ranking. After losing the first two games of the 2016 campaign Germany defeated Portugal 50–27 in Hanover in front of over 8,000 spectators. After losing to Romania Germany drew their final game of the campaign, against Spain, thereby finishing in fifth place, above Portugal, and avoiding relegation. Germany played in
2331-519: The following four games against Russia, Portugal, Romania and Spain. Germany thereby ended the first half of the 2014–16 campaign in sixth and last place with just one point out of five games, a bonus point earned against Rumania. Germany played two friendlies against Brazil, on 28 November in Blumenau , and 4 December in São Paulo as warm-up matches for the upcoming European Nations Cup games. In
2394-418: The lead in its division. Germany lost its last game of 2013, 15–30 to Moldova, but won comfortably 76–12 against the Czech Republic in April 2014. This game was to be the 58th and last for German captain and record international Alexander Widiker as he retired from international rugby after that. Germany's last game of the 2012–14 campaign was against Sweden on 26 April where a bonus point win would guarantee
2457-470: The league below, the 2nd Bundesliga South/West, but stepped down to the third level for 2012–13. The club also has a successful women's team, which plays at the highest level in Germany, the Women's Rugby Bundesliga , but it took the team until 2010 to win a national championship at this level. Since then the clubs women's team has won five consecutive national championships from 2010 to 2014. It has however won
2520-487: The national 7s Rugby side or are part of the German XV Development Squad. Recent coaches of the club: Heidelberger RK The Heidelberger Ruderklub (Heidelberger RK or HRK for short) is a German rowing club and rugby union club from Heidelberg , currently playing in the Rugby-Bundesliga . The club is one of four professional rugby clubs in Germany. The turn to professionalism in
2583-478: The national sevens championship in the past. Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality. Recent seasons of the club: In Germany 's 2006–08 European Nations Cup campaign , no player from the club was called up for the national team. In the 2008–10 campaign , Anjo Buckman , Christopher Liebig , Steffen Liebig , Patrick Schliwa and Tim Kasten were new additions to
RG Heidelberg - Misplaced Pages Continue
2646-463: The other two coaches Rudolf Finsterer and Bruno Stolorz , remained in the job. Stolorz was seconded to the German team by the Fédération française de rugby to improve Germany's performance in the sport. After five losses in the European Nations Cup in 2009, Germany achieved a win in a friendly against Hong Kong late in the year. Germany also managed a 15–12 victory over Switzerland but, as
2709-406: The play-off semi-finals but suffered a surprise 41–36 defeat to TV Pforzheim in the final. Two further title wins ensued, 2017 against TV Pforzheim and 2018 against RG Heidelberg . The regular season 2018-2019 was concluded by clinching the third place and as the only side beating the 2019 national champion SC 1880 Frankfurt in a league game. The club's reserve side has played for many years in
2772-515: The previous year, facing the Croatian champions RK Nada in the semi-finals, which HRK won 43–0. The club consequently qualified for the final against Lithuanian club RC Šiauliai who had knocked out SC 1880 in the semi-finals, winning this game and the competition 60–10. The European Clubs Championship is open to the winners of the Baltic and Balkan Cups as well as the winners and runners-up of
2835-595: The reason, despite achieving good results with his team. Schippe was replaced by his assistant Kobus Potgieter as coach of the German team. Germany started the autumn of 2013 with two wins in friendlies against the B team of the Czech Republic and the New Zealand Ambassador's XV, the later with former All Black captain Taine Randell in its ranks. It then won its away match against Ukraine before winning at home against Poland, thereby taking back
2898-791: The reorganisation of the European Nations Cup (ENC) in 2000, Germany became part of the second division. In 2000 the German Rugby Federation celebrated its centenary. Centenary celebrations included a banquet in the Heidelberg Castle and the hosting of the European leg of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Heidelberg , in which the German team came close to upsetting Ireland , who had Gordon D'Arcy in their line-up. The tournament
2961-644: The rugby department of the VfB Stuttgart were also teams the club played in its early years. Due to many South Africans who were studying in Heidelberg, the club developed a good relationship with Dutch teams and eventually, the Dutch national colours , orange, became RGH's team colours, which they still are today. In 1930, the club played in its first German rugby union championship final but lost to SV Odin Hannover 0-13. In 1932, 1933, 1937 and 1938
3024-429: The rules of rugby into German. It is from this beginnings that the HRK claims to be the oldest rugby club in Germany. This is true in the sense that it is the oldest rugby-playing club in Germany but other clubs have an older rugby department. The club had a golden era in the late 1920s, when it reached the German championship final three years in a row, winning the title in 1927 and 1928. After years of stagnation and
3087-824: The same time, in the Eastern part of the country, the German Democratic Republic , the German Democratic Republic national rugby union team was formed. The DRV continued to offer the East German DTSB to play a rugby friendly, but this was always declined by the East. Until 1965, Germany played friendlies only as there was no European rugby competition it could take part in. The team also made an appearance at England's home ground, Twickenham Stadium , in 1956, losing 8–26 to Harlequin F.C. on 8 September of that year. From 1965, it became part of
3150-631: The second level of European rugby but is yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup . The national team first played in 1927, with rugby union in Germany being administered by the German Rugby Federation ( Deutscher Rugby-Verband ). Germany competes in the Trophy Division, the second tier of the Rugby Europe International Championships, the senior men's rugby tournament for European nations below
3213-629: The second tier of FIRA rugby, effectively the third tier of European rugby, the Five nations tournament being outside the FIRA structure. In 1975, it played its first international against a non-European nation, beating Morocco in Hannover . The team's greatest success in the second half of the 20th century was promotion to the A group of FIRA rugby in 1981. From 1981 to 1983, Germany played ten games at this level, but won just one and were relegated back to
SECTION 50
#17327875430603276-408: The separation of Germany to East and West, Germany had a winning record of 51.35%, winning 19 matches in 37 games between 1900 and 1940. As West Germany, they recorded a 40% win rate, winning 62 matches in 155 games from 1952 and 1990. As a united Germany, from 1900 until present day, Germany has won 151 of their 333 representative matches. Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by
3339-532: The side the championship, promotion and an advancement in the Rugby World Cup qualifying. Germany won the game 45–20 to advance to a play-off game against the Netherlands in the 2015 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification , which they won 17-7. They played Russia for a chance to qualify for the Repechage and lead 20–17 up to the 77th minute but eventually lost 20–31 and were knocked out of the qualifying. Germany played two warm up matches in 2014. Germany played
3402-439: The son of a German mother and English father. In Germany 's 2006–08 European Nations Cup campaign , Mustafa Güngör , Christopher Weselek , Edmoore Takaendesa , Tim Coly , Manuel Wilhelm , Sebastian Werle , Kehoma Brenner , Tim Kasten and Steffen Thier were called up for the national team while being on the club's roster. In the 2008–10 campaign , Güngör, Weselek, Takaendesa, Coly, Wilhelm and Brenner all appeared for
3465-598: The south-west championship group once more. It defeated TV Pforzheim in the final of the German championship after play-off wins over TSV Handschuhsheim and RG Heidelberg. HRK thereby equaled Victoria Linden's record of six consecutive German championships. In 2015–16 Heidelberger RK participated in the European Rugby Challenge Cup Qualifying Competition , competing against Grupo Desportivo Direito , Mogliano Rugby , Royal Kituro Rugby Club and Timișoara Saracens for
3528-527: The table in the league in 2011-12, losing only one of its 18 games, reaching the final for a fourth consecutive time, but facing TV Pforzheim there rather than SC 1880 Frankfurt, its opposition in the previous three finals. HRK won the final 20-16 and won its ninth German championship. In the 2012–13 season the club took part in the European Clubs Championship, a new competition, on the strength of its North Sea Cup runners-up finish in
3591-435: The team qualified for the championship and the play-offs once more, defeating TSV Victoria Linden 101–10 in the first round and losing to Berliner Rugby Club in the quarter-finals. In the 2014–15 season the club finished fourth in the south-west championship group and was knocked out by Heidelberger RK in the semi-finals of the play-offs after victories over FC St. Pauli Rugby and RK 03 Berlin . As of 2016 RG Heidelberg
3654-483: The team's performance improved against Russia. In its final ENC game against Spain, where a victory by eleven points was needed, Germany played their best game in the campaign yet but nevertheless lost and was relegated. As a consequence, coach Rudolf Finsterer resigned after ten years of service. He was replaced by Torsten Schippe in July 2010, with South African Jakobus Potgieter as Schippes assistant. Germany suffered
3717-547: Was formed, a rowing club. In the early days, several rowing clubs were formed in Heidelberg and disappeared again, but the remaining ones merged in 1875 to form the Heidelberger Ruderclub , under the leadership of the Flaggen-Club . The game of rugby was introduced in the club in the early 1890s by Edward Hill Ullrich, who was partly of English descend and had a great love of "English" games, translating
3780-525: Was on 27 October when it played Ukraine at home. Before that the team played an unofficial warm up match against the New Zealand Ambassador's XV on 13 October 2012, a team that featured former All Black Keith Lowen in its ranks, and ended in a 22–20 victory for Germany. Germany won its opening match against Ukraine 46–28, a game in which captain Alexander Widiker became the country's record international rugby union player with 51 games. After
3843-770: Was the only club to have belonged to the Rugby-Bundesliga in every season since its interception. On 20 July 2017, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge took the role of coxswains to race using RG Heidelberg boats from the Old Bridge in Heidelberg and the Theodor-Heuss Bridge ( de ). Recent seasons of the club: Mathias Entenmann , a lock and back rower, played 26 times for his country. The former England international Phil Christophers who made his debut in 2002 started his rugby career with RG Heidelberg , being
SECTION 60
#17327875430603906-751: Was then with the Heidelberger TV . With Marvin Dieckmann, Robert Haase, Fabian Heimpel, Bastian Himmer, Tim Lichtenberg, Robin Plümpe as well as Johannes and Simon Schreieck, the club currently has 8 players in the German national Rugby 7s squad. Dieckmann also made his international debut in XV Rugby for Germany in his sides´24-21 win over Uruguay in November 2016. Out of RGH´s current Bundesliga squad Antony Dickinson, Elmar Heimpel, Christian Hug, Carsten Lang and Florian Wehrspann have already featured in
3969-589: Was won by the Welsh team , which featured Andy Marinos and Arwel Thomas . The highlight of the Centenary season was the Centenary Match against the famous Barbarians . The Barbarians included a host of internationals including Scott Hastings , Peter Stringer , Shaun Longstaff , Jeff Probyn , Frankie Sheahan , Russell Earnshaw , Shaun Connor , John Langford and Derwyn Jones and won 47-19 against
#59940