Hungary is one of the leading countries in Central Europe, having joined the European Union in 2004.

Rugby football was first played in the country in 1968, on the initiative of an Italian diplomat and 6 teams had formed by the time he departed in 1972.

Unfortunately, these teams eventually disbanded and the sport did not re-establish itself until 1979 when a memorial game was played. From this, interest was rekindled and 2 new clubs were formed, Budapest university side BEAC and Kecskemét college team GAMF.

Hungary are currently top of division 3B in the The European Nations Cup.

There are currently 25 rugby clubs in Hungary, playing in 3 national leagues. There is also youth, veterans and womens rugby.

Brief history of rugby in Hungary:
1968 - Italian diplomat Carlo Pasquale establishes rugby in Hungary.
1979 - Clubs formed by universities in Budapest and Kecskemét.
1990 - Hungarian Rugby Union formed with 9 clubs as founder members. Hungary plays it's first international, losing 3 - 7 to East Germany.
1991 - Hungary affiliated to FIRA and the IRB. The Blue Boar (Oxfordshire) becomes the first RFU club to make an official visit to Hungary.
1992 - Hungarian rugby championships and national league established.
1993 - Preliminary rounds of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
1994 - Hungary enters the FIRA European Championship.
1997 - Preliminary rounds of the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
2002 - Hungarian National XV win the 3rd division of the European championships, gaining promotion.

Some of the British rugby teams that have toured:
Abingdon
Ashton-on-Mersey
Bath Old Edwardians
Blue Boar
British Airways Clubs South Wales
Broadstreet
Camberley
Civil Service
Colchester
Crewkerne
Crieff
Deal Wanderers
Erdington
Freshfield
Good Old Boys
Gordano
Greenwich University
Hadleigh
Hammersmith & Fulham
Hampstead
Haringey
Hinckley
Hitchin
Hungerford
Lensbury
Lichfield
Littlemore
Lockside
Mackie Academy
Maldon
Millhill
Millwall
Milton Keynes
Nottinghamians
Okehampton
Old Emanuel
Old Haileyburians
Old Olavians
Oxford
Penguins
Purley John Fisher
Redcar
Salisbury
St. Ives
Stamford
Southam
Surrey RFU
Thurston
Trafford MV
Tring
Walsall
Warlingham
Witney
Yarnbury

The rugby season in Hungary is as follows:
Sep 1 - Jun 15 (excludes Dec 1 to the end of Feb, because of the winter conditions.)