Following the last days of the Federal 3 championship, the two Aude teams involved have obtained their qualification. Quillan-Limoux won with the offensive bonus to validate his ticket, while for Sigean-Port-La Nouvelle it was the defensive bonus point that was enough for happiness. On Sunday evening, the two teams knew their respective opponents. For the USQLHV a trip to Haguenau in the Bas-Rhin, more than 900 kilometers away, the USP was better off with a trip to the Aveyronnais of Figeac.
Dams outside for USQLHV and USP
But this Thursday, the French Rugby Federation changed its tune. After many complaints from clubs about the current context, the difficulties of getting around and the costs involved, the FFR has decided to integrate “a geographic optimization criterion. The Federation is fully aware of the potential difficulties induced by the current national context, and in particular the explosion of travel costs, the successive public transport strikes or fuel shortages”. According to the estimate in the FFR press release, travel would then be reduced by more than 13,000 kilometers for this single round of dams.
It is therefore in this idea, while giving the chance to the best ranked teams to receive in the play-off, as well as potentially the 32nd final return, that the FFR revealed the new oppositions.
The two Aude clubs have therefore learned of their new opponent. Initially, Figeac was to welcome the Sigeano-Nouvellois, but it is ultimately the Quillouxins who will move to Aveyron. For their part, the USP players will go to the Var to face Draguignan. These meetings will take place on Sunday, April 16 at 3 p.m.
To discuss the formula, the qualified teams will switch to the 32nd finals of the French championship, ranked from 1 to 24 according to their position at the end of the regular phase, to find the 40 teams still in competition.
