USAP, the blood and gold of Perpignan
Our USAP page is dedicated to the Perpignan club and its official products, such as the balls in the colours red and gold, offered according to availability. It tells the story of the Catalan club, from its first Shield in 1914 to the glory of 2009, showcases the Aimé-Giral stadium and guides you in choosing a jersey or a ball suited to your needs.
The red and gold of Catalonia.
From the first Shield of 1914 to the title of 2009
The USAP, Union sportive des Arlequins perpignanais, was born on 5 May 1933 from the merger of US Perpignan and the Arlequins. With the clubs that preceded it, Perpignan lifted the Brennus Shield in 1914, 1921, 1925, 1938, 1944, and 1955. After more than half a century of waiting, on 6 June 2009, at the Stade de France, the Catalans beat Clermont 22 to 13 and sparked a huge celebration on both sides of the Pyrenees. In Europe, the club reached the final of the European Cup in 2003, in Dublin, losing 22 to 17 to Stade Toulousain in the first final between two French clubs.
The other clubs in the championship
The products of the Top 14 and Pro D2 clubs are also available:
- Stade Toulousain.
- Union Bordeaux Bègles.
- RC Toulon.
- Stade Rochelais.
- Racing 92.
- Stade Français.
- Aviron Bayonnais.
- ASM Clermont Auvergne.
- Biarritz Olympique.
- Brive.
- Castres Olympique.
- FC Grenoble Rugby.
- Montpellier Hérault Rugby.
- RC Vannes.
- US Carcassonne.
All the clubs in the championship can be found on the Top 14 / Pro D2 page.
Aimé-Giral, a stadium that honours a hero of 1914
USAP plays at the Aimé-Giral stadium, one of the hotbeds of French rugby. It honours the fly-half who, at nineteen, converted the try of victory eight to seven against Tarbes in the 1914 final, giving Perpignan its first title. Fourteen months later, Aimé Giral fell at the front, like seven of his champion teammates. The club also thinks big: on 9 April 2011, it relocated its European Cup quarter-final against Toulon to the Estadi Olímpic in Barcelona, where fifty-five thousand spectators, a record at the time for a European quarter-final, witnessed its 29 to 25 victory.
Blood and gold, colours from the Catalan flag
The blood and gold of USAP reflects the colours of the senyera, the Catalan flag, with its four red stripes on a gold background, seen both in Perpignan and in Barcelona. These colours decorate the jersey as well as the supporter balls of the club, made by Gilbert, the brand established in 1823 in Rugby, England. A supporter ball is not meant for competition: it is for leisure play, passing with friends or decorating a room, and is usually chosen in size 5, for adults, or in mini format for younger kids and collectors who display it on a shelf.
Good deals
Good deals can be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and sent in 24 hours. The year's highlights follow a stable order: the Black Friday at the end of autumn, the year-end holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back-to-school.
Frequently asked questions
What ball size should I choose for a USAP-supporting child?
A size 3 is suitable for children approximately five to nine years old, a size 4 for those aged ten to fourteen, and size 5 from the age of fifteen. For a toddler or room decoration, the mini-ball in the club's colours is more appropriate.
What is the difference between a supporter ball and a match ball?
The match ball complies with World Rugby standards, featuring a textured surface for grip in the rain. The supporter ball, simpler, prioritises the club's colours and is suitable for leisure play as well as for collection.
How do I properly inflate a rugby ball?
Moisten the needle before inserting it into the valve, then inflate to a pressure range of 0.66 to 0.69 bar for size 5, the match standard. Over-inflated, the ball strains its seams; under-inflated, it loses precision.
How do I care for a rugby ball after play?
After a game on wet grass, wipe it with a damp cloth and let it dry at room temperature, never near a radiator, which can crack the surface. Stored slightly deflated and out of sunlight, it retains its colours longer.
How do I choose a size for a USAP jersey?
Take your usual size for a supporter version, which is comfortably cut, and one size up if you prefer a looser fit. For a child, height in centimetres is a more reliable guideline than the age indicated on the label.
