1
French officials follow PRO14's lead with its Top 14 season
By Online Editors
French officials have followed the lead of the Guinness PRO14 by announcing an indefinite suspension of its Top 14 and PRO D2 seasons.
The Top 14 was due to resume next weekend following a break for the closing rounds of the Guinness Six Nations, with Toulouse vs Lyon set to have started the programme on March 21.
Global Rapid Rugby ready for lift-off
That plan has now fallen by the wayside, as has the schedule in the PRO D2 which had games listed for this weekend at Montauban and Carcassonne.
In a statement released on Friday afternoon, the Ligue Nationale de Rugby explained: “The LNR announces the temporary suspension of its TOP 14 and PRO D2 championships.
"The steering committee met by emergency conference call following the intervention of the president of France on the health crisis in the country linked to Covid-19 and the measures to be taken to curb the epidemic.
“Professional rugby intends to assume full responsibility in this exceptional situation. The LNR steering committee has therefore decided to temporarily suspend the Top 14 and PRO D2 championships.
“This decision has immediate effect and applies to the two late matches of PRO D2 which were scheduled for Montauban and Carcassonne.
“The LNR also requests that collective training organised by professional clubs be suspended.”
The league’s general assembly had initially been due to meet in Toulouse on Monday to discuss the situation, but that meeting has now been cancelled following the already agree suspension of the fixtures.
“Health is the top priority,” said Paul Goze, president of the LNR. “We therefore suspend our Top 14 and PRO D2 championships in the exceptional context that our country is going through. The main thing is to unite in this period of national solidarity.”
WATCH: Israel Dagg, Ali Williams, Mils Muliaina and Angus Ta'avao join Kirstie Stanway on the couch for another episode of The Kick-Off
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Seven Springboks make World Rugby men’s 15s dream team of the year
3
South Africa player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series
4
All Blacks assistant labels Italy game 'messy'
5
Latest Comments
Yes, I agree, following this logic a Black Fern should’ve won it.
I haven’t followed enough the women’s 7s to state if there wasn’t too many BF players who were sharing the performances, while in the Australian team just one player outshone the others. Just like Savea’s win last year, with too many SA players having great performances.
What might have cost Argentina 7s at least a nomination or the title was that their best player Moneta got injured at the worst moment of the season.
Go to comments9.5 for BB? Show some respect to Italy & one would have to go back a decade to even consider such a BB performance.
DMac should be 10 with Roigard who gets to the ruck & plays with speed. For me, when those two are paired, we look threatening. Cortez should be dropped out of ABs & we blood others.
The 12 & 13 is very lost. Caleb certainly grew as a player this year showing a different dimensions in play & wiser decisions. I'd say he has a better ability to adjust to Centre. Reiko is lost & non-effective.
9.5 for BB 🤣🫢🤣 - the ABs need to move past him. He is & always will be at most a bench player. When he had the reins at 10 for RWC & more, he did nothing. This includes Super as well. Mo'unga had his measure all the time. I get tired of constant loyalty. Give those performing a go, as you have in various forwards & see them shine.
We need to use the squads of ABs & ABs XV in tandem to build nice depth is the Boks do
Go to comments