Torneo del Noroeste

The Torneo Regional del NOA (NorOeste Argentino – Argentine North-West), also known as Torneo del Noroeste, is a regional rugby union competition in Argentina.

Originally, only clubs from the Tucumán Rugby Union took part. In successive editions the competition added clubs from the unions of Jujuy, Salta, and Sgo. del Estero provinces. This yearly tournament has traditionally been dominated by Tucumán clubs. Clubs from the other 3 provinces have yet to win a title.

Universitario is the most successful team, with 24 titles won to date.

Rugby was first played in Tucumán in 1915 but the first official rugby team in the province –Club Natación y Gimnasia– would only be formed in 1936. Six years later Tucumán Rugby Club was founded, followed by Universitario Rugby Club in 1943 and Cardenales Rugby Club in 1944.

Those four clubs would go on to found the "Unión de Rugby del Norte" on 29 February 1944.

Although the URN was based in Tucumán Province it also dealt with fledgling clubs from the neighbouring provinces of Salta, Jujuy and Santiago del Estero. Later these provinces would go on to form their own unions in 1951, 1966 and 1968 respectively.

Although all four provinces take part in the regional Torneo del Noroeste, they still organise their own local competitions.

As of 2022, 10 clubs from all 4 provinces took part in the tournament. The competition is divided into two zones. The four best placed teams qualify to "Zona Campeonato" to crown the champion of the season. The tournament uses a promotion and relegation system.

Champion and runner-up of Torneo del Noroeste qualify for the Nacional de Clubes, the main club competition of Argentina while the other best placed teams qualify for Torneo del Interior, the national club competition outside Buenos Aires.

Notes

• Tournament news at URT
• Tournament news at Norte Rugby website