The Ukraine national rugby league team represents Ukraine in rugby league football. The team made their international debut as part of the 2009 European Bowl.
Ukraine was originally scheduled to play in the 2008 European Bowl, but withdrew at the last minute due to problems with the team's visas.
The national team subsequently made its international debut in the 2009 European Bowl, winning the tournament and securing promotion to the European Shield competition.
The domestic game expanded rapidly in its early years. A four-team national championship was launched in 2009 and grew to six clubs by 2010. The UFRL also introduced a national cup competition and youth development programmes, helping establish rugby league in several regions of the country, particularly in Kharkiv and Donetsk.
During the early 2010s, Ukraine competed regularly in European international competitions and recorded notable victories against emerging rugby league nations. The national team won additional European Bowl titles in 2013 and 2016, establishing itself as one of the stronger developing nations in European rugby league. The federation's growth was recognised in 2013 when it became a full member of the Rugby League European Federation.
The outbreak of conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014 created significant challenges for the sport. Several of the country's strongest rugby league clubs were located in the Donetsk region and were directly affected by the fighting. In response, the federation restructured its competitions and shifted much of its administration and development activity westward, operating separate eastern and western conferences where possible. Despite these difficulties, domestic and international programmes continued.
By the early 2020s, rugby league in Ukraine had grown to include multiple clubs, junior programmes and national representative teams. However, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 severely disrupted domestic competition. Many players, coaches and officials became involved in military service or territorial defence activities, while sporting infrastructure across the country was affected by the war. Despite these challenges, Ukraine continued to participate in international rugby league through the support of the European Rugby League and the commitment of players and volunteers.
In 2022, Ukraine successfully fielded an Under-19 national team at the European Championships, demonstrating the resilience of the sport despite wartime conditions. As the conflict continued, the federation increasingly explored heritage-based player pathways, particularly in Australia and other countries with Ukrainian diaspora communities.
During 2023 and 2024, Ukraine strengthened its international programme through the inclusion of players of Ukrainian heritage. The national team achieved improved results in European competition, including victories over Greece, and rose significantly in the International Rugby League world rankings. The heritage programme attracted players from Australia and elsewhere, while maintaining connections with players and officials within Ukraine. By 2024, the federation was using international participation as a means of maintaining the visibility and continuity of rugby league during one of the most challenging periods in the country's history.
Revival and international growth (2024–present)
Despite the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the disruption to domestic sporting activities, Ukraine Rugby League continued to participate in international competition through a combination of domestic and heritage-based players. In 2024, the national team expanded its player pathway by incorporating athletes of Ukrainian heritage from Australia and other countries, helping to strengthen the squad for European Championship competition.
Ukraine achieved significant success in the 2025 European Rugby League Championships. Competing in Euro C against Italy and Greece, Ukraine won both matches to finish first in the group and secure promotion to Euro B for the 2026 season. Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the tournament was played at a centralised venue in Italy rather than on a home-and-away basis.
The squad featured several players from the Ukrainian diaspora, including New Zealand Warriors halfback Jett Cleary, who qualified through his Ukrainian heritage. Cleary played a key role in Ukraine's successful campaign as the nation secured victories over Italy and Greece and earned promotion to the next tier of European competition.
The success of the national team has coincided with increased engagement from Ukrainian heritage communities, particularly in Australia, where heritage representative programmes have been established to identify and develop players eligible for future international representation. These initiatives have helped maintain the visibility and growth of rugby league within the Ukrainian community during a challenging period for sport in the country.
Competitive record Overall Source: Rugby League Project Opponent First Played Played Win Draw Loss Points For Points Against Last Meeting 2013 4 4 0 0 260 22 2024 2009 1 1 0 0 86 0 2009 2024 1 0 0 1 8 74 2024 2025 1 1 0 0 56 12 2025 2018 4 3 0 1 122 70 2025 2014 4 1 0 3 68 166 2025 2009 2 2 0 0 152 6 2010 2018 1 1 0 0 34 22 2018 2013 1 1 0 0 42 14 2013 2010 5 1 0 4 152 164 2021 2011 0 0 4 50 218 2024 Total 2009 24 12 0 12 1030 768 2025
IRL Rankings
See also
Sports in Ukraine
References
External links