Villeneuve Leopards, translated from Léopards d'Aquitaine and sometimes known as Union Sportive Villeneuve, are a French

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

 rugby league

Rugby league

Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...

 club from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot

Villeneuve-sur-Lot

Villeneuve-sur-Lot is a town and commune in the Lot-et-Garonne department in south-western France. The commune was formerly named Villeneuve-d'Agen....

 in the département of Lot-et-Garonne

Lot-et-Garonne

Lot-et-Garonne is a department in the southwest of France named after the Lot and Garonne rivers.-History:Lot-et-Garonne is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...

. They play in the Elite One Championship

Elite One Championship

The Elite One Championship is the top tier French professional domestic rugby league competition....

.

History

Sport Athlétique Villeneuvois.13 (SAV.13) was founded during the last two weeks of May 1934. The majority of the Villeneuve rugby union team and members (CAV.15, led by French rugby union

France national rugby union team

The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...

 international Jean Galia

Jean Galia

Jean Galia was a French rugby union and rugby league footballer and champion boxer...

 switched to rugby league.

SAV.13 were the first to club to become a member of the Ligue Française de Rugby à 13 (LFR.13) on June 2, 1934. Villeneuve remain as the oldest rugby league club in France. SAV.13 became the first French side to tour England in September 1934.

Villeneuve won the inaugural French Rugby League Championship

French rugby league championship

The French rugby league championship has been the major rugby league tournament for semi-professional and professional clubs in France and Monaco since the sport was introduced to the country in the thirties....

 in the 1934-35 season. Having lost the 1936 Lord Derby Cup

Lord Derby Cup

The Lord Derby Cup , also known as French Rugby à XIII Cup, is the premier knock-out competition for the sport of rugby league football in France. It is open to all French rugby league clubs....

 final they made amends in 1937 by defeating XIII Catalan

XIII Catalan

XIII Catalan were a French rugby league team from Perpignan, in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales region of France. They were founded in 1935, and thus were founding members of the French rugby league championship...

.

Due to the banning of rugby league by the Vichy regime in 1940 SAV.13 switched to rugby union and were renamed Union Sportive Villeneuve.15 (USV.15). Towards the end of the Second World War the LFR.13 was re-established and rugby league returned to Villeneuve under the name USV.13.

Villeneuve became national champions again in 1959, 1964 and twice more in the early 1980s. They also lifted the Lord Derby Cup in 1958, 1964, 1979 and 1984. In 1998, USV.13 added the nickname "Les léopards d'Aquitaine".

Villeneuve experienced a glorious era from 1996 to 2003, appearing in every Grand Final except one. They won five championships in eight years culminating in their 31-18 victory over St.Gaudens

RC Saint-Gaudens

Saint-Gaudens Bears are a French rugby league team from the town of Saint-Gaudens in the department of Haute-Garonne.-History:The club, founded in 1958, have won the French Championship on four occasions, and the Lord Derby Cup also on four occasions....

 in 2003. Villeneuve played in four Lord Derby Cup

Lord Derby Cup

The Lord Derby Cup , also known as French Rugby à XIII Cup, is the premier knock-out competition for the sport of rugby league football in France. It is open to all French rugby league clubs....

 finals in this period and won every one. During this period they also became the first French club to reach the quarter-finals of the prestigious Rugby League Challenge Cup

Challenge Cup

The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....

 on 11 March 2001.

In 2005, USV.13 went bankrupt and a new club was formed named Villeneuve.13 Rugby League (V.13-RL). The Léopards made history in 2005 when they signed the Russian international

Russia national rugby league team

-2008 World Cup Qualifying:In 2006 Russia were involved in Europe Round One, defeating Netherlands national rugby league team and Serbia national rugby league team to finish second and keep their World Cup dream alive. They then went through to Europe Round Two in Europe Pool Two with Ireland and...

 halfback, Ouchillikos Novel. He was signed after an impressive performance in the defeat to France

France national rugby league team

The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...

 in the 2005 European Nations Cup.

Current Squad

2011/12 Rory Bromley

Rory Bromley

Rory Bromley is a rugby league player for the Toulouse Olympique team in the Co-operative Championship. He was formerly a player from the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup...

 Laurent Carrasco

Laurent Carrasco

Laurent Carrasco born 6 September 1976 in Villeneuve,France is a rugby league player for Toulouse Olympique in the Elite One Championship. He plays as a loose-forward...

 Mimoun Chanif Sebastien de Martini Aurelien Decarnin Nicolas Delgal Erwin Escoder Jordan Escoder Houcine Fakir Nicolas Farid Damien Gauthier Yliasse Lamarti Loic Maria Adrien Maurel Mike Melhout Halim Moualkia Stanislas Robin Mickael Van Snick Constant Villegas

Constant Villegas

Constant Villegas is a rugby league player for Toulouse Olympique in the Elite One Championship. He plays on the wing or in the second-row. He is a French international.He has been named in the France training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup....

 Brendan Worth

Brendan Worth

Brendan Worth is an Australian rugby league footballer for French side Toulouse Olympique. Before joining Toulouse, he played in the NRL at the Newcastle Knights and the Penrith Panthers...

 Tanu Wulf Geoffrey Zava

Champion of France

• Max Rousié
  Max Rousié
  Max Rousié was a French rugby league and rugby union footballer who rose to prominence in the 1930s. He was a dual-code international, eventually becoming captain of the French rugby league team....
  
   Trophy (Champions) : 1935, 1959, 1964, 1980, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003.
• Vice-champion (Runners-Up : 1938, 1939, 1962, 1965, 1974, 1983, 1984, 1991, 1997, 1998.

• • Junior (1st class) trophy, : 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946, 1960, 1980, 1989, 1990 and junior (top 1st class i.e. espoir) trophy: 1999, 2000, 2001.

Cup of France

• Trophy Lord Derby, (Winners : 1937, 1958, 1964, 1979, 1984, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003.
• Finalist : 1936, 1938, 1953, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1972.

• • Junior (1st class) trophy Rosemblat after L. Nitard, holder : 1960, 1961, 1977, 1978, 1989, 1990.

- SAV.13

Sylvain Bes André Brinsolles Maurice Brunetaud

Baptiste Carbo Etienne Cougnenc Jean Daffis

Henri Marcel Delhommeau Henri Durand Jean Galia Jean Galia Jean Galia was a French rugby union and rugby league footballer and champion boxer...

Marius Guiral Maurice Porra Max Rousié Max Rousié Max Rousié was a French rugby league and rugby union footballer who rose to prominence in the 1930s. He was a dual-code international, eventually becoming captain of the French rugby league team....

Henri Sanz Henri Sanz Henri Sanz was a French rugby union player. He played as a scrum-half.Sanz first played for Electrogaz Toulouse, then in SC Graulhet, moving afterwards to RC Narbonne, where he would spend most of his career. He reached the post of captain and won three titles of the Cup of France, in 1988/89,...

- USV.13

Guy Augey Bertrand Ballouhey Frédéric Banquet Paul Bartoletti Angelo Boldini Régis Brioux Maurice Brunetaud Gaston Calixte Laurent Carrasco Laurent Carrasco Laurent Carrasco born 6 September 1976 in Villeneuve,France is a rugby league player for Toulouse Olympique in the Elite One Championship. He plays as a loose-forward... André Carrère Max Chantal Christian Clar Jean Pierre Clar

David Collado Gilles Cornut Etienne Courtine Gérard Crémoux David Despin Fabien Devechi Jacques Dubon Pascal Eito Roger Estrada Djamel Fakir Jean Foussat Laurent Fraysssinous Romain Gagliazzo

Roger Garnung Antoine Geronazzo Gabriel Genoud Antoine Gonzalez Jacques Gruppi Raymond Gruppi Didier Hermet Jérôme Hermet Antoine Jimenez André Lacaze Pascal Laroche Michel Laville Odé Lespes

Christian Maccali Jean Pierre Magagnin Robert Majorel Alain Maury Alain Maury Alain J. Maury is a French astronomer.He discovered the periodic comet 115P/Maury as well as the non-periodic C/1988 C1 .... Michel Mazaré Jacques Merquey Jacques Merquey Jacques Merquey , was a French rugby footballer of the 1950s. An dual-code rugby international, his position was centre, later in his career this changed to stand-off. He played for the Avignon rugby league club, S.O.A XIII, becoming the most capped International, with 37 games for France... Jean Pano Daniel Pélerin Bertrand Planté Jean Planté Julien Rinaldi Julien Rinaldi Julien Rinaldi is a French rugby league player for Harlequins RL in Super League. He was previously playing/coaching Villeneuve Leopards in the Elite One Championship in France. Rinaldi is a French international... Joël Roosebrouck Christian Sabatié

Pierre Sabatie Pierre Sabatie Pierre Sabatie born in France is a rugby league player for the Villeneuve Leopards in the Elite One Championship. He is a French international.He has been named in the France training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.-External links:*... Arty Shead Romain Sort Ernest Tarozzi Yves Treilhes Mickaël Van Snick Daniel Verdes Patrick Wozniack Vincent Wulf Vincent Wulf Vincent Wulf is a New Zealand-born rugby league player who represented France in the 2000 World Cup.-Playing career:A Marist Saints representative in the Auckland Rugby League competition, Wulf first moved to France in 1996 to join the Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League club... Charles Zalduendo

- V XIII RL

Laurent Carrasco Laurent Carrasco Laurent Carrasco born 6 September 1976 in Villeneuve,France is a rugby league player for Toulouse Olympique in the Elite One Championship. He plays as a loose-forward... Olivier Charles Olivier Charles Olivier Charles is a French international rugby league player. He had a brief spell at Catalans Dragons in the Super League, but was released due to off-field reasons.-References:... Jérôme Hermet Ernest Camo Serge Cuyas Léo Murari Ovide Nogaro Fernand Vigouroux

Foreigners

• USV.13 :
  • Mark Bourneville
    Mark Bourneville
    Mark Trevor "Horse" Bourneville is a former rugby league player. He represented both New Zealand and France in international rugby league and is the only dual-international the two countries share.-Early years:...
    
     (New Zealand)
  • Paul Sironen
    Paul Sironen
    Paul Sironen is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who was a prominent second rower for the Balmain Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
    
     (Australia)
  • Shaun Austerfield (England)
  • Grant Doorey (Australia)
  • Dragan Durdevic (Australia);
  • Jason Webber (Australia);
  • Brock Mueller
    Brock Mueller
    Brock Mueller is a former professional rugby league footballer. He played for the Newcastle Knights from 1998 to 1999...
    
     (Australia);
  • Chad Dillinger (Australia);
  • Quentin Pongia
    Quentin Pongia
    Quentin Lee Pongia is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who represented his country. He is the grandson of fellow Kiwi international Jim Calder and his sister Megan Tahapeehi has also represented the Kiwi Ferns.-Playing career:Originally from the West Coast,...
    
     (New Zealand);
  • Artie Shead
    Artie Shead
    Artie Shead is a New Zealand born French rugby league player for the Pia Donkeys in the Elite One Championship he was previously with the Villeneuve Leopards. His position is at prop or centre...
    
     (New Zealand);
  • Phillip Shead (New Zealand);
  • Tim Ryan
    Tim Ryan
    Timothy John "Tim" Ryan is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the Ohio Senate.-Early life, education and career:...
    
    (Australia);

Note

Maurice Brunetaud and Henri Durand are members of the very small group of French rugby players who were Internationals before and after WWII and Rugby League's banishment by Vichy (Oct. 1940 to Sept.1944).

Coaches

1934-36: J. Galia, 1937-40: R. Griffoul, 1940-45: J. Barrés, J. Daffis; 1946-50: R. Manieu, 1950-53: B. Carbo, 1956-57: A. Jimenez, 1957-58: R. Estrada, 1958-62: R. Manieu, 1962-66: Jep Lacoste, 1967-68: R. Manieu, 1968-70: O. Nogaro, 1970-72: M. Monclus,

1973-76: Jep Lacoste, 1976-78: E. Courtine, O. Nogaro-JP. Clar, 1978-82: R. Gruppi, 1982-84: B. Ballouhey, J. Balleroy, 1985-86: J. Gruppi, 1988-89: M. Mazaré, 1988-90: S. Cuyas, M. Wakefiel, 1990-91: M. Wakefield, 1991-92: M. Wakefield-A. Lopès, 1992-94: A. Lopès, 1994-95: K. Taylor, JP. Goguet, 1995-97: D. Ellis,

1997-98: D. Ellis, JL. Albert, 1998-00: G. Doorey-D.Despin, 2001-03: JL. Albert, 2003-04: J. Ackland, D. Despin, 2004-05: D. Despin, B. Planté, 2005-06: B. Planté-P. Hollovoet, 2006-07: P. Hollovoet-V. Wulf,

Presidents

1934-37: G. Bordeneuve, 1937-41: Dr L. Vinson, 1941-45: G. Prady (USV.XV), 1945-53: Drs L. Vinson et P. Mourgues, 1953-61: Me J. Maury, 1961-62: R. Bagilet, J. Bouyssonnie, 1962-65: A. Escande, 1965-73: G. Marès, 1973-74: E. Benguigui, 1974-78: Dr F. Derieux, 1978-88: Dr F. Mourgues, 1988-89: J. Dachary, 1989-90: P. Conduché, C. Succarat, C. Amadieu, 1990-92: M. Benet,

1992-93: C. Gabrielli, 1993-94: Dr M. Dupuet, 1994-99: E. Courtine, G. Troupel, 1999-00: G. Troupel, P. Soubiran, 2000-03: P. Soubiran, 2003-04: Mme J. Lombard, 2004-05: Dr M. Pierre, 2005-06: Dr M. Pierre, F. Didier, J. Balleroy 2006-07: F. Didier, JM. Barjour

Famous players, coaches, presidents

Jean Luc Albert (coach) Frédéric Banquet Paul Bartoletti Angelo Boldini G. Bordeneuve (president) Maurice Brunetaud Gaston Calixte Laurent Carrasco Laurent Carrasco Laurent Carrasco born 6 September 1976 in Villeneuve,France is a rugby league player for Toulouse Olympique in the Elite One Championship. He plays as a loose-forward...  André Carrère Max Chantal Jean-Pierre Clar Etienne Courtine (player & president) Serge Cuyas David Despin Jacques Dubon Henri Durand Pascal Eito David Ellis David Ellis David Ellis or Dave Ellis may refer to:* David Ellis , Welsh priest and poet* Dave Ellis , computer game designer and author... (coach)

Roger Estrada Jamal Fakir Jamal Fakir Jamal Fakir is a Moroccan-Frenchrugby league player for the Catalans Dragons club in the European Super League competition. A fiery, strong-running second-rower....  Laurent Frayssinous Laurent Frayssinous Laurent Frayssinous is a French former professional rugby league footballer and currently assistant coach of the Catalans Dragons...  Jean Galia Jean Galia Jean Galia was a French rugby union and rugby league footballer and champion boxer...  (player & coach) Roger Garnung Antoine Gonzalez Jacques Gruppi & Raymond Gruppi Marius Guiral Didier Hermet Antoine Jimenez André Lacaze Jep Lacoste (coach) Christian Maccali Raoul Manieu (coach) G. Marès (president) Me J. Maury (president) Michel Mazaré Jacques Merquey Jacques Merquey Jacques Merquey , was a French rugby footballer of the 1950s. An dual-code rugby international, his position was centre, later in his career this changed to stand-off. He played for the Avignon rugby league club, S.O.A XIII, becoming the most capped International, with 37 games for France...

Dr P. Mourgues (president) Dr F. Mourgues (president) Léo Murari Ovide Nogaro Jean Pano Daniel Pélerin Maurice Porra Julien Rinaldi Julien Rinaldi Julien Rinaldi is a French rugby league player for Harlequins RL in Super League. He was previously playing/coaching Villeneuve Leopards in the Elite One Championship in France. Rinaldi is a French international...  Joël Roosebrouck Max Rousié Max Rousié Max Rousié was a French rugby league and rugby union footballer who rose to prominence in the 1930s. He was a dual-code international, eventually becoming captain of the French rugby league team....  Christian Sabatié Paul Sironen Paul Sironen Paul Sironen is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who was a prominent second rower for the Balmain Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s...  http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/nrlfinal/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/paul_sironen_live_blog/ P. Soubiran (president) Ernest Tarozzi G. Troupel (president) Daniel Verdes Dr L. Vinson (president) Vincent Wulf Vincent Wulf Vincent Wulf is a New Zealand-born rugby league player who represented France in the 2000 World Cup.-Playing career:A Marist Saints representative in the Auckland Rugby League competition, Wulf first moved to France in 1996 to join the Paris Saint-Germain Rugby League club...

External links

Official website Club forum