Top 14 two to become one in Paris as Racing 92 and Stade Francais announce merger plans

The Top 14's two Paris-based sides, Stade Francais and Racing 92, are to merge from next season, it has been announced.

In a statement released simultaneously on the two clubs' websites, the Top 14's last two title holders said that the merger will take effect from next season, pending approval from the Ligue National de Rugby, which runs the Top 14.

Meanwhile, the spare Top 14 place left by the clubs' merger could be resolved with a play-off between the side that finishes 13th in the Top 14 and the team that loses the ProD2 play-off final, it has been suggested.

"Winners of the first two championships in the history of French rugby in 1892 and 1893, Racing 92 and Stade Francais Paris also won the Bouclier de Brennus in the last two seasons," the clubs announced in a joint statement.

"These flagship clubs of Paris and the Hauts de Seine, beyond the sporting rivalry they have enjoyed, have many similarities: a strong local and regional heritage, a historic educational mission, ancestral ties with the Olympic movement and an inextinguishable will to progress in all areas.

"It is on the basis of these principles that the two clubs lay the foundations for a merger project by pooling their resources to better cope with the challenges of performance and education.

"This association, effective from next season, must give birth to a new club that will preserve the roots of Racing 92 and those of the Stade Francais Paris.

"Consolidated by its dual culture, by the fierce determination of its presidents and its increased audience in a population pool unmatched in France, this new club has a long-term commitment to build a true reference day after day."

Meanwhile, in an email to Racing 92 season ticket-holders, club president Lorenzetti told fans that, despite the two clubs' recent domestic successes, "it has been very difficult to maintain that level of performance year after year."

The same email indicates that Racing coaches Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers will take the coaching reins at the new club. Stade's Gonzalo Quesada has previously revealed that he will leave Stade Jean Bouin at the end of the season.

The news comes as the two clubs struggle to cope with the aftermaths of their recent Top 14 successes.

Stade finish 12th in the Top 14 the season after they were crowned Top 14 champions, and – with 40 points – occupy the same position heading into the final six games of the regular season. They are 13 points above Grenoble, in the first of the relegation places.

Defending champions Racing, meanwhile, are seventh in the table with 45 points, six adrift of the play-off places.

Club presidents Jacky Lorenzetti, of Racing, and Thomas Savare, of Stade Francais, were due to hold a press conference at 4pm France time on Monday, March 13, when questions concerning where the new Parisian side will play may be answered. Racing 92 were due to be installed in their new (and much-delayed) 32,000-seat U Arena stadium midway through this season, but the venue is expected to be available in time for the start of the next campaign.