Nickname(s) Danish Lions Captain(s) Jesper G. Jensen Location Denmark | Coach(es) Ivan Andersen Union Danish Rugby Union | |
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Most caps Morten Rune Nielsen (63). | ||
The Denmark National Rugby Union Team represents Denmark in the sport of rugby union. They are governed by Dansk Rugby Union and have been playing international rugby since 1949.
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DRU now has nearly 2,500 members in more than 30 clubs.
The DRU Superliga is the highest tier of the national rugby union competition in Denmark. Most of the national team's players play in the local league, however a handful of them play in amateur clubs in the UK and France. There are no professional players that play for Denmark.
History
Rugby Union had been played in Denmark since 1931, but the Danish Rugby Union wasn't formed till 1950. DRU joined the Sports Confederation of Denmark in 1971 and later that year the FIRA-AER (European rugby union). In 1974 DRU co-founded the Nordic Rugby Union (now Scandinavian Rugby Union) and in 1988 DRU joined the IRB (International Rugby Board).
The Danish 1st XV (known as Drusse) participates every year in the European nation tournament (EM). In Europe below the premier rugby nations, the remaining countries are divided into six divisions, where Denmark is located in the second division.
Championship tournaments determines seeding for World Cup qualifying pools. Denmark debuted in World Cup competition in Andorra, October 1992 (1995 classification). The Danish national team reached the second round of the most recent World Cup qualifiers having never qualified fully.
According to the IRB World rankings they are currently rated 60 out of 93 affiliated nations, well above neighbouring rivals Finland in 93rd position.
In 2014, Denmark National Rugby Union Team signed a lucrative 3-year deal with Impact Prowear who provide all kit to the men's senior national team.
Current squad
Denmark's Elite Player Squad.
Head Coach: Ivan Andersen
Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.