Lyon OU Rugby Women

LOU Rugby
Founded2008 (2008)
GroundPlaine des Jeux de Gerland
PresidentDidier Deal
Jean-Philippe Hager
CoachJean-Matthieu Alcalde
LeagueÉlite 1
2024–258th
Team kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.lourugby.fr

Lyon OU Rugby Women are a French rugby union club based in Lyon. They compete in the Élite 1 competition, which is the top division of women's rugby in France.

History

The women's section of Lyon Olympique Universitaire Rugby was formed in 2008.[1] During the 2011–2012 season, they remained undefeated all season in Fédérale 1, but a missed penalty kick in the final cost them the title and promotion to the next division.

In 2013, they won the Fédérale 1 championship and in 2016, they were crowned runners-up in the Elite 2 championship.[1]

In 2019, they were French Elite 2 champions and gained access to Elite 1, the first division of French women's rugby.[1]

For the 2019–2020 season, the first team plays in Elite 1, while the reserve team plays in Fédérale 1.

In 2025, French insurance giant, Matmut, became the sponsor's of the women's section as well as the men's.[1][2]

Current squad

Lyon's 2025–26 Élite 1 season squad:[3]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Lyna Abdallah Hooker France
Margaux Jeannin Hooker France
Eugénie Palisser Hooker France
Clarisse Clainholphe Prop France
Alexandra Correia Prop Switzerland
Sarah Exnerova Prop Czech Republic
Eider García Prop Spain
Anaïs Gardet Prop France
Manon Leduc Prop France
Solenne Mpari Prop France
Maude Cournut Lock France
Alicia Cravotta Lock France
Camille Jeannin Lock France
Clémentine Joliveau Lock France
Lucille Palisser Lock France
Kassandra Sylla Lock Spain
Lauryne Cheze Back row France
Jade Clareton Back row France
Victoire Foulon Back row France
Marie Morland Back row France
Player Position Union
Alizée Fouré Scrum-half France
Eneka Labeyrie Scrum-half France
Chloé Ponthus Scrum-half France
Noa Coudre Fly-half France
Cléo Hagel Fly-half France
Garance Merle Fly-half France
Lucy Attwood Centre England
Fanny Dumarty Centre France
Lilou Graciet Centre France
Chloé Jacquet Centre France
Noelia Pauls Centre Andorra
Charlotte Rufas Centre France
Léa Trollier Centre France
Elodie Galinier Wing Australia
Séraphine Okemba Wing France
Aminata Samadoulougou Wing France
Sacha Beltran Fullback France

Honours

  • Elite 2:
    • Winner (1): 2019
    • Runner-up (1): 2016
  • Federale 1:
    • Winner (1): 2013
    • Runner-up (1): 2012

Finals

Competition Date Champion Score Runner-up Venue
Federale 1 20 May 2012 Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby 12–12 Lyon OU Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers
Federale 1 19 May 2013 Lyon OU 29–8 SO Villelonguet Valréas
Elite 2 22 May 2016 ASM Romagnat 29–7 Lyon OU Unieux
Elite 2 18 May 2019 Lyon OU 22–8 RC Chilly-Mazarin Stade Maurice Trélut, Tarbes

Coaches

Years Manager Assistants
2018–2021 Philippe Buffevant Jean-Pierre Husson
Paul Hugonnier
2021–2023 Jean-Matthieu Alcalde
2023–Present Jean-Matthieu Alcalde David Attoub (Forwards)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Harrington, James (2025-10-22). "France's AXA Elite 1 Championship: Get to know the teams". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 2026-02-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ "LA MATMUT, PARTENAIRE DU LOU FÉMININ". www.lourugby.fr (in French). 2025-10-11. Retrieved 2026-02-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "FÉMININES SÉNIORS". association.lourugby.fr (in French). Retrieved 2026-02-14.