Spring Arrives in Madrid — But Liceo Francés Bring the Storm Against Burgos
A División de Honor clash shaped by identity, intensity, and a statement performance in the Madrid sun.
On 21 March 2026, it didn’t quite feel like spring had arrived in Madrid.
It was cold, grey, and not the prettiest start to the season.
But the morning of the 22nd told a completely different story.
The sun was out, the sky had cleared, and suddenly it felt like proper rugby weather again.
We’d been invited as Game Day Bites to cover a División de Honor clash between Liceo Francés and Recoletas Burgos — a meeting between a rising side and one of the more established, well-resourced clubs in Spanish rugby.
It promised a lot.
And it delivered.
Setting the Scene
For those less familiar with the structure, División de Honor is Spain’s top tier. Eleven teams play each other before the league splits midway through the season.
The top six push for playoff spots, with the top two going directly into the semi-finals, while the remaining four fight it out. The five bottom teams battle to avoid relegation.
This game mattered.
A lot.
More Than Just Facilities
First of all, a massive thank you to Liceo Francés for the hospitality.
From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed by former player Ratti and given full access throughout the day.
The setting itself is impressive. The club sits within the Liceo Francés sporting complex in one of the more exclusive areas of Madrid. It doesn’t quite feel like the Madrid most people imagine — it’s greener, quieter, with modern buildings and a slightly international feel.
The facilities reflect that.
From the clubhouse to the changing rooms, everything is pristine. There’s a full academy structure and a club that clearly takes its rugby seriously. They lifted the DH Elite League title last year, the division just below División de Honor, so this is far from a small operation.
What stood out just as much, though, was what they had on the pitch. Five or six of their starters came through their own academy, which is always a strong indicator of the health of a club. It gives identity, connection, and a sense that what’s being built is sustainable.
First Half — Liceo Set the Tone
On paper, Burgos arrived as favourites.
A deeper squad, a number of internationals, and significantly more resources behind the first team. But from the opening exchanges, it didn’t quite look that way.
Liceo came out sharper.
Hungrier.
More connected.
The first half turned into an open, attacking contest, with both sides finding space and scoring freely. Three tries apiece kept the game flowing, but Liceo looked the more cohesive side throughout.
Burgos, by contrast, felt slightly off the pace.
The half finished 25–21, with Burgos staying in touch but never quite in control.
Second Half — A Fight, But No Comeback
The second half followed a more familiar pattern.
Tighter. Slower. More physical.
A proper arm wrestle.
But even as Burgos tried to find their way back into the game, there was a sense that Liceo were not going to let it slip. They defended well, managed territory intelligently, and never allowed Burgos to build sustained pressure.
No points for Burgos in the second half.
Final score: 35–21.
A statement win.
Individuals That Made the Difference
There were standout performances across the park, but two names stood out in particular.
On the wings, Jerry and Drix were electric.
Jerry, with experience in Spain’s sevens setup, brought composure and physicality. Drix, wearing 14, was pure instinct — finishing twice and scoring the decisive try.
The kind of performance that lifts a team.
And one we managed to capture — available on the Game Day Bites Instagram.
More Than Just the First Team
One of the best parts of the day had nothing to do with the scoreboard.
The crowd was excellent. The main stand filled early, and the grassy hill beside the pitch was packed with families. Kids from the academy were everywhere — playing matches, running around, fully immersed in the day.
That’s what stood out most.
From grassroots to top-level rugby, everything was happening in the same space.
It felt connected.
It felt real.
What It Means
The win moves Liceo Francés from sixth to fifth, a significant step as the season heads toward its final stretch.
For Burgos, still sitting second, the focus will be on holding that position. Finishing in the top two means avoiding an extra playoff game — something that could prove crucial in knockout rugby.
For Liceo, this was more than just points.
It was proof.
Proof that they belong.
The Bigger Picture
The game was also broadcast by Movistar, who continue to cover one División de Honor fixture each week — an important step for visibility in Spanish rugby.
And across the league, it’s tightening.
With only a couple of rounds remaining before the split, every result matters.
What’s Next
We’re entering the final stretch of the season now.
Playoffs are around the corner.
And if everything goes to plan, next weekend we’ll be covering the start of the Women’s Rugby Europe Championship, as Spain begin their title defence at Industriales home ground in Las Rozas.
Follow Game Day Bites
There’s more content, interviews and match coverage coming.
📸 Instagram: @game.daybites
▶️ YouTube: Game Day Bites
If you enjoy this kind of rugby — from top-level clashes to grassroots stories — follow along.
There’s a lot more to come.