Majority of the Israeli rugby team Tel Aviv Heat posing for an official team picture. Photo: Provided

Israel’s national rugby team Tel Aviv Heat announced on Wednesday a new partnership with the French rugby club Stade Français Paris where both teams will exchange training methods and organize friendly matches.

“On the educational level, this partnership will provide a special connection between Tel Aviv University and Stade Académie, Stade Français Paris’ training tool established two years ago,” Tel Aviv Heat explained in a blog post on its website. “Also, the development and research of new technologies – essential assets of the Israeli club – will pave the way for exchanges around innovations applicable to rugby.”

Stade Français Paris has won 14 French Champion titles and one European Champion title, making it the most successful French club after Stade Toulousain. The French rugby club was created in 1995 following a merger of the rugby sections of Parisian sports clubs Stade Français and the CASG.

“We are proud of this merger with the Tel Aviv Heat club which is part of our international development strategy with targeted, leading, and innovative clubs,” said Thomas Lombard, general director of Stade Français Paris, in a released statement. “During our visit to Israel, we were able to appreciate the culture, the Tel Aviv University campus, the infrastructure, and discuss technological innovations applicable to rugby. We look forward to starting discussions with the Heat to perfect the training of our young players, both educationally and athletically.”

Tel Aviv Heat, Israel’s first professional rugby team, was formed in 2021. The team reached the semifinal and final of the Rugby Europe Super Cup in its first two seasons. Last year, it competed in the RugbyTown 7s tournament in Colorado, and beat the English professional rugby club Saracens in a friendly match in London.

In February, the team launched a program that aims to help it build connections with players, clubs and supporters around the world after the Israeli team was disinvited from an international competition in South Africa.

“As the first professional rugby team from Startup Nation, we have constantly sought out players and partners like Stade Français Paris Rugby who remain dedicated both to the core values of rugby – solidarity, passion, integrity, discipline, and respect – and have strived to leverage the power of rugby to build bridges and transform lives,” said Tel Aviv Heat CEO Pete Sickle. “We are proud that Stade Français Paris Rugby has chosen to collaborate with the Heat to create opportunities and rich experiences on and off the field. We are looking forward to many years of driving mutual value to the two clubs.”