Share

Points crackdown on French clubs over quotas

Paris - Clubs from France's two elite divisions of rugby union will be docked points if they fail to field an average minimum of 60 percent French-reared players per game from the 2017/18 season, the body overseeing professional rugby in France announced Tuesday.

The Ligue nationale de rugby (LNR) says that at least 14 names on the teamsheet must be qualified players referred to in French as JIFF (joueurs issus des filires de formation): they must have been registered with the French Rugby Federation for at least five years or have spent three seasons in an FFR-approved academy if they are currently under 21.

They do not necessarily have to be of French nationality.

Clubs run the risk of losing two points should they average between 13 and 14 on the 23-strong match-day squad and up to 10 points if that average falls below 10, the LNR said.

"I'm not afraid to say it, it's a small revolution," LNR president Paul Goze said after the French rugby federation's executive committee voted in the reform as part of its 2016-23 strategic plan.

Currently, clubs in the TOP 14 and Pro D2 are obliged to name 14 JIFF players but do not run the risk of anything more than a fine should they not.

The other key part of the reform, which follows the France national team's disastrous showing in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, is the decision to limit to 16 the number of non-JIFF players allowed in each club's 35-man squad.

Replacements drafted in to cover for injured players and non-JIFF players signed for training academies will be included in that list, but it will not implicate players brought in to replace the 30 internationals named on the France elite list before the start of each season.

"Everyone knows that we have to prioritise training (academies) and that we have more and more players trained in France playing," said Goze.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE