If the French Rugby Federation discusses and negotiates with the National League for the organization of a possible fourth match of the XV of France in November, the organization of this meeting is far from being assured. “In the additional match, I am, personally, opposite. I think that many club presidents will be opposed because it changes the balances we had negotiated. We have made very important efforts, ”said in an interview with AFP the president of the René Bouscatel league, currently in the campaign for his re -election against the president of the Lyon club Yann Roubert.
“We are in solidarity and we will be united with the Federation. But afterwards, you have to see on what extent you can be and to what extent. For me, there are two red lines. The first is not to devalue our product (the top 14), second, is to guarantee redistributions to the clubs on which we have committed ourselves ”,
In the overloaded rugby calendar, a fourth game in November would prevent clubs from benefiting from their internationals for one more championship day. But an additional reception would bring more revenues to the FFR which is at financially abduction. In 2024, England, Ireland and Wales hosted four games, France and Italy three.
France and England, whose federation also experienced financial problems, have already announced a friendly match between the two teams on June 21, with a “French team” which will be far from aligning its best players, the match taking place in the same weekend as the semi-finals of the Top 14.