Über die soziale und kulturelle Bedeutung eines auch romanischen Sports

Abstract

This introduction aims at giving a general research overview about rugby, a field of research that has hitherto been neglected in (German-speaking) Romance cultural studies. A focus will be set on recent developments, professionalization and sociocultural significance of rugby in Romance language-based countries and cultures. Contrary to the opinion that rugby is a sport that is solely and only influenced by British culture, this issue will be consecrated to the practice of rugby in Romance language-based countries and cultures. Taking the vivid French rugby culture as a starting point the introduction will raise the question of a specifically Romance rugby culture or even identity. Particularly as from a historical perspective those teams that have represented opponents to the British and Pacific rugby world leaders were teams originating from Romance language-based countries and cultures.