Ligue Nationale de Rugby

The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (English: National Rugby League—not used as it is the name of the Australian rugby league competition) is the name of the national professional rugby union league of France. It is divided into two divisions:

Related Topics:
English - Rugby league - Rugby union - France

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• TOP 14 (TOP 16 before 2005-06)
• Rugby Pro D2

The first French championship was held in 1892, with Racing Club de France beating Stade Français, though the "stadistes" got their revenge the following year in a repeat of the final. More than a century later, those two Paris-based outfits are the only two teams from the North of France currently playing in France's professional league—Stade Français in TOP 14, and Racing's successor club Métro-Racing in Pro D2.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Traditionally in the first phase of the then-TOP 16, the teams were divided into two pools of eight. This was followed by a second phase, in which the eight highest-ranked teams played for semi-final spots and the bottom eight teams battled against relegation. The championship final, in which the Bouclier de Brennus was at stake, took place at the Parc des Princes and more recently Stade de France. Development players are given a chance in the Coupe de la Ligue, with its fixtures planned when the top players are with the national team.

Related Topics:
Parc des Princes - Stade de France

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2004-05, the top division consisted of a single pool of 16 teams, with the top four teams advancing to a knockout playoff at the end of the season to determine the champion. From 2005-06, the top division will be run with a single pool of 14 teams, again with a season-ending four-team playoff. The championship match continues to be held at Stade de France, and regularly sells out the 80,000-seat venue.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
Ligue Nationale de Rugby: TOP 14 (first division) ►