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France vs Wales in jeopardy as FFR row with Top 14 rumbles on
There is still confusion over whether France will play six Test matches this autumn, starting with the October 24 friendly scheduled against Wales in Paris, due to an ongoing row with the Top 14 clubs.
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The France Council of State ruled against the summary motion filed by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby – on behalf of the Top 14 – against the French Rugby Federation, who want players available from October 19 through to December 5.
However, rather than that Friday decision green-lighting the way for the FFR to press ahead with its six-game plan, it was highlighted in its outcome that an agreement must still be reached by the FFR and the LNR.
As it stands, the LNR have only agreed to a three-match, four-week window, and while there were previous indications that they would likely agree to five games due to the rescheduling of the delayed 2020 Six Nations game with Ireland and the introduction of the one-off four-game Autumn Nations Cup, no agreement was ever formally reached and the scheduling of the sixth match with Wales has only exacerbated the difficult situation.
In a statement, the FFR welcomed Council of State decision in the interest of French rugby, claiming it would allow the management of France squad to have its players from October 19 to December 5, as defined by rule nine of World Rugby.
Squad news: Red mist prop back in favour https://t.co/rPoWE6ymko
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 7, 2020
However, L’Equipe reported that nothing was certain as the administrative court’s decision didn’t leave a free hand to the FFR. On the contrary, it referred the FFR and the LNR to the convention which binds them on the subject of the provision of internationals and further discussions are now likely.
The summary judge wrote: “To allow the extension of the period of availability, such as the number of matches likely to be played, a modification of the relevant provisions of the agreement between the Federation and the League is, contrary to what the Federation supports, necessary. These modifications can only be made by a joint decision of the Federation and the League.”
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Several meetings between leaders of the two bodies had already taken place on the autumn calendar prior to Friday’s Council of State involvement, but no agreement was found. The Council of State also outlined that World Rugby regulations can’t affect national law and that it was up to the French decision-makers (the League and the Federation) to come to an agreement.
“The Federation’s intention (to widen the international window) cannot as it stands be regarded as a unilateral decision. The Council of State therefore does not consider that the FFR can impose its own calendar,” read the ruling.
The FFR schedule is for games against Wales (October 24), Ireland (October 31), Fiji (November 15), Scotland (November 22), Italy (November 28) and an opponent to be determined (December 5).
Back in action, but with a much-changed XV https://t.co/ykxK7L2a6R
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 10, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments