The prestigious Roman rugby club Roma Rugby (RR) closed during the summer after 81 years. At the end of July the Federal Council of Rugby (FIR) took the decision to close the club in the face of its accumulated debts and economic insolvency.

Established in 1930, RR soon became a point of reference for rugby players in the greater Rome area, and over its colourful history its teams were crowned champions of Italy in 1935, 1937, 1948, 1949 and again in 2000 when RR beat L'Aquila. Based on Via delle Tre Fontane in the EUR district in the south of the city, the club was also the winner of two Italian Cups, the last of which was awarded this year. Over the decades, dozens of the club