France's National Rugby League Proposing A Relegation, Promotion Shakeup

France’s National Rugby League (LNR) wants to “modify its relegation and promotion system from the Top14 league next season,” according to Clément Mazella of RUGBYRAMA. The project, which should be approved soon, “would be favored by Top14 clubs with only one guaranteed relegation.” The current model relegates and promotes two teams at the end of the season. The new system would not guarantee the future of the 13th place club, “it would go through a playoff.” At the same time, the Pro D2 leader “would not automatically be promoted to the next level.” The championship system for Pro D2 would “resemble that of the Pro14 system, with the six leading clubs qualifying for the finals.” The top two clubs would be in the semifinals, and “the four others would have to play each other (3 vs. 6 and 4 vs. 5).” The winner of the finals in Pro D2 would then “play against the 13th place team in Top14.” The project could be validated in July “after the clubs vote during the LNR general assembly” (RUGBYRAMA, 4/18).