Rugby · Clubs & Leagues
Rugby Clubs and Leagues in Nigeria
The clubs, leagues and sevens tournaments that keep Nigerian rugby alive.
Advertisement
Our clubs
Nigerian rugby clubs
The various teams under the Rugby football are as follows Cowrie Rugby football club of Lagos, Nigeria Police Rugby 7s team in Lagos, Sharks Rugby football club, Kaduna Rugby football club which was known as the home of rugby union in Northern Nigeria, Barewa rugby club of Kano, Racing rugby football club in Lagos, Delta Dragon Rugby football club, Royal Stallions Rugby football club and others.
The clubs participate and represent Nigeria Rugby football in both local and international competitions.
| Club | Base | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cowrie RFC | Lagos | Lagos men’s league champions (retained the title in 2018); 2017 Independence 7s finalists |
| Racing RFC | Lagos | Runners-up in the 2018 Lagos men’s league |
| Nigeria Police Rugby 7s | Lagos | Runners-up at the Cape Coast 7s, Ghana |
| Kaduna Rugby Football Club | Kaduna | Known as the home of rugby union in northern Nigeria |
| Barewa Rugby Club | Kano | Strong at the Atlantic Rugby 7s |
| Delta Dragon RFC | Delta State | |
| Royal Stallions RFC | ||
| Sharks RFC | ||
| Lagos Police, Kings College, Lagos Rugby Club, Eco II, Gosar RFC | Lagos | Other clubs of the 2018 Lagos men’s league |
Results
Competitions and achievements
Nigeria is greatly improving when it comes to the sports of rugby and has made some headways in some of their featured championships, some of the competitions and achievements made by the local rugby clubs can be seen below;
Nigeria Rugby team has recorded many victories and losses in their participation in both local and national tournaments and competitions.
Nigeria Rugby team champions Cowrie RFC that featured in the final of the 2017 (8th) Lagos Independence Rugby 7s at the Lagos Polo Club were defeated 26-0 by Samurai Barracudas, an invitational team made up of players from South Africa, Kenya, Portugal, Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The Nigeria Rugby team Cowrie RFC participated in the 2017 Nigeria Rugby South West Rugby League and emerged as the winner as they finished with 22 points.
Nigeria Police Rugby 7s Team who participated in the cape coast Rugby 7s Tournament in Ghana finished in the second place as well.
More results we have checked
- 2017 Lagos Independence Rugby 7s (8th edition): plate final won 15-12 by Delta Force RFC over Nasarawa RFC; bowl final won 14-0 by Sabongari RFC over Warri Wolves.
- 2018 Lagos men’s league: Cowrie RFC beat Gosar RFC 42-0 on the final day to retain the title ahead of Racing RFC.
- NRFF plans (2025): rugby at the NUGA university games, a stronger national league, a national sevens circuit and para-military rugby competitions.
Checked 30 September 2026.
Advertisement
Keep reading
Rugby in Nigeria
Union, sevens and rugby league in Nigeria.Read more
History of rugby in Nigeria
From Rugby School to the Black Stallions.Read more
The Black Stallions
Nigeria’s national teams, sevens and the African Games.Read more
Nigerian rugby players
Itoje, Ubogu, Monye and the home-based stars.Read more
Maro Itoje
England and Lions captain with Nigerian parents.Read more
Contact the NRFF
The Nigeria Rugby Football Federation.Read more
Quick answers
Rugby clubs: quick answers
Which is the best rugby club in Nigeria?
Cowrie Rugby Football Club of Lagos is one of the most successful. It won the 2017 South West league, retained the Lagos men’s league title in 2018 and reached the final of the 2017 Lagos Independence 7s.
What is the Lagos Independence Rugby 7s?
An annual sevens tournament in Lagos. The 8th edition in October 2017 was played at the Lagos Polo Club, where the invitational Samurai Barracudas beat Cowrie RFC 26-0 in the final.
Where can I play rugby in Nigeria?
Clubs such as Cowrie RFC and Racing RFC in Lagos, Kaduna RFC, Barewa in Kano and Delta Dragon in Delta State welcome players. The NRFF also runs school and university rugby programmes.