The loyalties of rugby fans across Wales have been analysed by psychologists in an attempt to find out why people are so passionate about the game.

Researchers at the University of Glamorgan, in Pontypridd, carried out the two month study to uncover what makes fans enjoy following a team.

Fans particularly look forward to games against teams they really like to see beaten

Dr Rob Thomson, researcher

Results revealed an intense rivalry between certain clubs which fuelled passion and energy.

The research also showed fans were more fanatical about supporting their local side than cheering for the Wales squad.

The findings were gathered from questionnaires handed out during premier club matches which were completed by fans.

Doctor Gareth Davies, one of the researchers of the report, said: "We wanted to find out what makes rugby fans identify with their particular team.

"And, how that relates to the support of the national team.

Fans of the top Welsh clubs were surveyed

"We were also interested in the live match experience and what factors make it compelling.

"We wanted to know how important individual clubs and traditional rivalries between them were," he said.

The results of the findings are to be debated by representatives of the premier clubs, which includes Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, Llanelli, Bridgend and Pontypridd, as well as officials from the Welsh Rugby Union and the Welsh Assembly on Wednesday night at the University.

The research team have said the results could prompt more investigations into the behaviour of rugby fans.

"Supporters of each premier club indicated that their primary loyalty was to their club rather than to the national side and we are keen to explore this finding further," said Dr Davies.

'Old enemy'

Levels of rivalry between clubs was described as particularly acute and was given as one of the reasons why fans enjoyed supporting their side.

"Fans particularly look forward to games against teams they really like to see beaten, but not so much to games against other teams they like or see as similar to their own," said Doctor Rob Thomson, who was part of the investigation team.

"It was clear, for example, that fans most liked to see Cardiff beaten and were most desperate to attend matches against the side - looking forward to their team seeing off an old enemy," he added.

Other findings showed that men are more likely to support rugby than women with an 85% majority.