FIRA (1934–1999) In 1931, the
French Rugby Federation (FFR) was suspended from playing against the other
IRFB nations, because the sport's authorities had suspected for many years that the (FFR) was allowing the abuse of the rules on amateurism. As a result, Fédération Internationale de Rugby Amateur (FIRA) was founded in 1934. It was designed to organise rugby union outside the authority of the
International Rugby Football Board (as it was known at the time). The founder members were
Italy,
France,
Spain,
Belgium,
Portugal,
Catalonia,
Romania,
Holland and
Germany. In 1940 the Spanish dictator
Francisco Franco forcibly merged Catalonia's team into the Spanish rugby team, thus losing its sporting independence. In the late 2000s the restored Catalan Federation unsuccessfully attempted to recover its international status, citing historical rights as FIRA founder member. In 1965, FIRA inaugurated the FIRA Nation's Cup, and in 1974 the FIRA Championship, later renamed the
European Nations Cup (ENC). The ENC provided international competition for European countries outside the Five Nations. The ENC was played in three divisions, comprising most countries in Continental Europe. The ENC later expanded its horizons, taking in
Morocco and
Tunisia. The ENC first division competition was won most often by France, but Romania won it five times, and Italy once, in its last edition, in 1995–1997. France and Italy no longer play in the ENC, as both countries now play in the Six Nations Championship.
FIRA–AER (1999–2014) In the 1990s, FIRA recognised the IRB as the governing body of rugby union worldwide and after negotiations with the IRB, it agreed to integrate itself within the organisation. In 1999, it changed its name to "FIRA – Association of European Rugby" (FIRA–AER), to promote and rule over rugby union in the European area and to run the junior world championship. FIRA-AER organised both the under-19 and under-21 world championships until IRB folded them into the competitions now known as the
World Rugby Under 20 Championship and
World Rugby Under 20 Trophy in 2008.
Rugby Europe (2014–present) In June 2014, during the annual convention of FIRA-AER in
Split, it was decided to rename the organisation to Rugby Europe to provide it with a shorter, more recognisable name. == Rugby Europe international competitions ==