French club game undergoes major restructure

The Fédération Française de Rugby have approved structural changes to the Nationale, Nationale 2, and the Fédérale starting from the 2027/2028 season onward.

The Nationale, France’s third tier of the men’s club game, will expand from 14 to 16 teams to increase competitiveness. Narbonne and Nissa Rugby won promotion to the Pro D2 this season after a tense and unpredictable season.

Despite the financial struggles that forced Blagnac, Tarbes, Hyères-Carqueiranne and Niort to withdraw from their Nationale campaigns in the last three years, the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) and the FFR remain confident about the competition’s future, particularly in developing fully professional teams capable of competing in Pro D2.

However, the most significant reforms will take place in Nationale 2, as the fourth tier of French rugby will merge with the Fédérale 1, evolving from two groups of 12 clubs into four. In other words, starting in 2027, 48 teams will compete in the Nationale 2, potentially representing one of the biggest changes in French rugby in the last 10 years.

The FFR had already introduced several changes in recent years to reduce travel costs for Nationale 2 teams, and the new format will further reinforce this approach, giving these clubs a better chance of success. At the same time, French rugby union is confident that the new format will increase regional and local rivalries, generating more attention from the media and fans.

French journalist Tanguy Scigala closely followed the approval of the new format, offering a brief explanation of the whys behind it.

“The reform addresses some of the economic realities faced by amateur clubs, particularly regarding travel and organisational costs,” said the Rugbyscope reporter.

“One of the key questions will be the competitive balance, as some clubs currently competing in Nationale 2 are already structured at a higher level than many Fédérale 1 clubs. It will be interesting to see whether the new structure creates a more competitive environment or whether those clubs continue to dominate once the reform is implemented.”

In the same meeting, all parties agreed that the divisions known as Fédérales will cease to exist and be replaced by a new designation to ensure greater uniformity across competitions organised by the FFR.

With the Top 14 and Pro D2 benefiting from increased revenue through ticket sales and television rights, the FFR, LNR, and clubs expect this growth to support lower-division teams and drive French rugby even further ahead.