The Baroudeurs de Pia XIII, later known as the Pia Donkeys, are a French Rugby league team based in Pia, Pyrénées-Orientales in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The Baroudeurs play in the Elite Two Championship during their existence they were the reserve team of the Elite One Championship team SM Pia XIII (the original Pia Donkeys), until that team ceased competing in Elite One and the reserve Baroudeurs were absorbed under the SM banner. Home games are played at the
The club was formed in 2000 by the former successful top flight club SM Pia XIII to act as their official reserve side. The Baroudeurs, which translates as Fighters were one of the strongest clubs at their level. In season 2003/04 they reached their first league final in the National Division 1 but lost against Vedene XIII 6-42. The next two seasons brought more final heartache as they lost firstly against Salses XIII 20-36 and then to 14-30, that season 2005/06 did bring some success when they won the Coupe Falcou to win their first trophy. 2006/07 brought relegation but the following season they registered a league and cup double. They beat RC Lescure-Arthes XIII 'A' in the league 30-6 and also lifted the Coupe Falcou for a second time. As a reserve side they wouldn't have been allowed to play in the same league as their first team and so when SM Pia XIII announced they were going to drop out of the top flight at the end of season 2012/13 the reserve Baroudeurs were absorbed under the SM banner. In the 2018-19 season the Baroudeurs returned to the Elite Two Championship.
Rugby league in France