2010 in Sports - Rugby Union

Rugby Union

• 116th Six Nations Championship series is won by France who complete the Grand Slam.
• March 8 – The Celtic League and Italian Rugby Federation confirm the entry of two Italian teams, Aironi and Benetton Treviso, into the previously Celtic competition in 2010–11.
• May 18–30 – The 2010 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy was held at several sites in Moscow, Russia and won by Italy.
• May 22 – Toulouse win their fourth Heineken Cup, defeating fellow French side Biarritz 21–19 in the Heineken Cup Final at Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
• May 23 – Cardiff Blues win the Amlin Challenge Cup Final at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille 28–21 over nearby French club Toulon.
• May 29 – The last Super 14 Final before the competition expands to 15 teams is won by the Bulls, who defeat fellow South African side Stormers 25–17 at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
• May 30 – Samoa win the Edinburgh Sevens and secure their first IRB Sevens World Series season crown.
• May 30, – June 26, – The 2010 Summer Tours start.
• June 5–21 – The 2010 IRB Junior World Championship was held at three sites in Argentina and won by New Zealand.
• August 20, – September 5, – 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup was held at two sites in London, England and won by New Zealand.
• October 23, – December 18, – The 2010 end-of-year series takes place. Notable events during this series include:
  • November 13: Victor Matfield earned his 103rd cap to become South Africa's most-capped player ever.
  • November 20: Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina earned their 93rd caps, becoming New Zealand's most-capped players.
  • November 27: The 2011 Rugby World Cup qualification process concluded in Bucharest with Romania defeating Uruguay 39–12. Romania won the two-legged tie 60–33 on aggregate to claim the final spot in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
  • November 27: Dan Carter of New Zealand surpassed Jonny Wilkinson of England as the leading career point scorer in Test rugby.

Domestic competitions

• Guinness Premiership – Leicester Tigers
• Top 14 – Clermont win their first title in their nearly 100-year history after having lost in 10 previous championship finals.
• Celtic League – Ospreys
• LV= Cup (Anglo-Welsh Cup) – Northampton Saints
• ITM Cup (formerly Air New Zealand Cup) – Canterbury
• Currie Cup – Sharks