Dieux du Stade: Why there's more to rugby than the World Cup!

In case you’ve been shipwrecked on some desert island and hadn’t noticed, it’s the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Yes, it’s that time of year again (well, once every four years, actually!) when grown men in little shorts get to play dirty whilst running around a field chasing a funny shaped ball.

For six whole weeks, rugby (it’s a lot like American football, but without the padding!) is going to be dominating our TV screens. Whilst the idea of sitting in front of the box watching big beefy men demonstrate their testosterone levels might not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that there’s some serious eye-candy (or should that be man-candy?) on offer in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Speaking of serious man-candy, if the Rugby World Cup hunks don’t raise your temperature, then this lot sure will. Every year, those gorgeous guys of the domestic French rugby team, Stade Francais, and players from other rugby union clubs get their kit off for a series of sexy photographs. It’s all in aid of their now legendary Dieux du Stade calendar. Oh, and they also make a rather raunchy behind-the-scenes DVD to accompany it, too!

The Dieux du Stade calendars feature nude and semi-nude images and, not surprisingly, the popularity of the calendars and DVDs has been credited for the increased fame of the Stade Francais team, not to mention rugby in general. Well, it’s a lot easier on the eye than men covered in mud and blood – unless, of course, you like that sort of thing!

Both the calendars and DVDs have become extremely successful (thanks to straight women and gay guys!) and the 2007 issue, despite raising criticism from the rugby community, went on to sell more than 200,000 copies worldwide. We actually ran an article a while back on the trend of sexing up male athletes, if you'd like to learn more.

Which brings us to the 2008 edition. Although less risqué, it’s still pretty darn steamy. And the man behind the camera is acclaimed fashion photographer Steven Klein, who has photographed many of the world’s most gorgeous men and women, including Brad Pitt and Madonna.