the end of the Top 14 and Pro D2 season officially validated

The Steering Committee adopted the resolution providing for the final end of the professional TOP 14 and PRO D2 championships.

The TOP 14 and PRO D2 rankings are decided and approved at the end of the 17th and 23rd day

The press release: https://t.co/qWgEBcdsfhpic.twitter.com/pAInjKY8TJ

– National Rugby League (@LNRofficiel) June 2, 2020

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“This resolution will be submitted to the approval of the General Assembly of the LNR which will meet in exceptional session on June 11, and to the Steering Committee of the FFR.” adds the NRL.

As a reminder, an agreement was reached at the end of April concerning the end of the season of the first two divisions.

No champion in Top 14

The Bordeaux-Bègles Union ends this season well in first place in the Top 14. In Pro D2, it is Colomiers Rugby. But none of these clubs will have the title of champion. This is the first time since World War II that no champion has been crowned in the Top 14.

No ascent or descent will also take place between the Top 14, the Pro D2 and the Federal 1. The French Rugby Union Championship will therefore resume with the first day of the 2020-2021 season, scheduled for September 4.

European Cup places will wait

The steering committee also mentioned the number of places in the European Cup for the Top 14 clubs, but procrastinating. “The National Rugby League will rule on the rules for qualifying French clubs for the Champions Cup when the EPCR has confirmed the competition format applicable in 2020-2021 in the exceptional context linked to the health crisis”, explains the National Rugby League.

French authorities claim eight tickets, compared to six usually. The EPCR, the organizing body of continental tournaments, had confirmed in mid-May that it was studying a redesign of the European Cup, with an assumption of 24 clubs, including eight French.

If this is the case, the first six clubs (Bordeaux-Bègles, Lyon, Racing 92, Toulon, La Rochelle and Clermont) would therefore be joined by Toulouse and Montpellier respectively 7th and 8th. Because these last two clubs have provided a good number of internationals to the XV of France between the 2019 World Cup and the last Six Nations Tournament.

No decision for the National Championship

As for the creation of a National Championship, third division wanted by the president of the French Rugby Federation Bernard Laporte, the National Rugby League indicates that “the work of the pilot unit in which the representatives of the LNR participate continues”. This “Pro D3” would allow clubs to prepare for entry into the professional world.

In addition, the steering committee has also approved the creation of a mechanism to promote the return to employment of players without a contract for the 2020-2021 season at the end of the transfer period, scheduled for July 15, 2020.

Agreement between Canal + and the LNR

After this announcement, the National Rugby League indicates that it has “found a partnership agreement” with Canal +, broadcaster of the Top 14 and Pro D2.

“The two partners have taken note of the end of the 2019/2020 season and have agreed to the payment of a lump sum and final by the Canal + group for this 2019/2020 season with compensation granted by the LNR to the latter on the contract length”, explains the governing body. According to AFP, Canal + should pay its last royalty, around 15 million.

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