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50 years of rugby in Libreville – Libreville is the political and administrative capital of Gabon, the first city of the country in number of inhabitants. Thus logically, rugby players’ biggest breeding ground of the country ! As the Gabonese Rugby Union is joining Rugby Africa, we are coming back on the history of one of their flagship club : the RCL

Between 1975 and 1980, driven by  “President, coach and player” Pierre Duro, the club was linked to the Football Union which became the Gabonese Football Rugby Union. The first President of this new entity was Dr Lamine Diop, today deceased.The Rugby Club of Libreville ( RCL) had been officially created on September 15th, 1960 and was confirmed in the newspaper “Gabonese Republic”, page 565, at the same date.

RCL’s chairman at this time was Mr Gustave Anguile, Finance Minister, helped in his task by Mr Jean-Pierre Juilla, Vice-President.

During the years 1976 to 1986, the RCL faced teams of the French 3rd division on international matches and recorded no defeat. The RCL during these 10 years was equal as a French 2nd division.

On the African continent, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Congo, Central African Republic are so many teams that hardly ever beat RCL.

Some results during the season 1976 – 1977

YAOUNDE 12 – 9 RCL
PORT-GENTIL 12 – 54 RCL
KINSHASSA 0 – 17 RCL
RCL 24 – 3 BRAZZAVILLE 
RCL 40 – 15 PORT-GENTIL
RCL 63 – 16 UTA PARIS
RCL 33 – 6 KINSHASSA
RCL 25 – 18 GABONESE ARMY
YAOUNDE 11 – 12 RCL
E.E.C.I. ABIDJAN 17 – 19 RCL
UTA PARIS 7 – 12 RCL
RCL 57 – 22 ARCHIBALL BIARRITZ 
BRAZZAVILLE 17 – 0 RCL
POINTE NOIRE 3 – 37 RCL
GABONESE ARMY 4 – 12 RCL

The XV’s values of the RCL

I Love the jersey
II Respect the rules
III Unit the group
IV Enjoy the talent of all the people 
V Add value to the team
VI Identify the leaders
VII Organise its defensive network 
VIII Learn to surpass yourself 
IX Handle the unpredictable
X Take a global view
XI Set up in the duration
XII Never give up
XIII Stay faithful to your style
XIV Live together outside of the field
XV Know how to take a break

Today, the club is still support by the chairman, Pierre Duro who leads the Gabonese Union masterfully