League Notes: League Of Ireland To Switch To 10-Team Divisions

The Irish FA (FAI) confirmed that the League of Ireland will switch to two 10-team divisions for the '18 season following recommendations from the Premier Clubs Alliance. The move comes "after a series of meetings between both the FAI and PCA in recent weeks." The '17 First Division champions will be promoted with three teams relegated from the Premier Division (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 12/22).

French Rugby Federation (FFR) President Bernard Laporte said that France will "stop selecting non-French players who have qualified under the three-year residency rule." He announced the move after meeting World Rugby President Bill Beaumont. Laporte: "I told Bill that we've taken the political decision to stop playing foreign players in the national team." Foreign-born players who currently play for France "will remain eligible but new players will require a French passport" (BBC, 12/21).