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Why Top 14 season finale could result in points deduction for Racing 92
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Racing 92’s hopes of making the Top 14 play-offs have been hampered by a requirement to field 18 JIFF players in their final match of the campaign, or face a points deduction ahead of next season.
The Parisian outfit, who are currently in fifth place in the Top 14, host league leaders Toulouse in the final round of the regular season at La Defense Arena on Saturday, but may be forced to field a drastically different team to comply with league regulations.
In the Top 14, all clubs except those that are newly promoted are required to field 16 JIFF players – those who have come through the French system – on average in every matchday squad across the season. Patrice Collazo’s side are currently the only club in France to fall under the quota heading into the regular season finale, and will need to field 18 JIFF players this weekend to bring their average to 16.
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French outlet L’Equipe have reported that the club will face a six-point deduction for falling between 15 and 16 JIFF players, which is where they currently stand.
Based on the team they recently fielded in a 13-41 victory over ASM Clermont Auvergne, there will need to be sizeable changes to the squad, with the team littered with international stars such as Taniela Tupou, Josua Tuisova, Jonny Hill and Joey Manu, among others. The squad did not even include former England No.8 Nathan Hughes.
Racing head into the final match knowing a defeat will likely see them fall out of the top six and therefore miss out on the play-offs, and fielding a weakened side against the European giants will not help their cause.
Alternatively, multiple French outlets are reporting that the play-offs contribute to the average number of JIFF players, meaning the club could field their strongest side against Toulouse this weekend in the hope of qualifying for the play-offs, then ensure they meet the JIFF quota when they name their side for the quarter-finals. The ramifications, however, should they adopt that route and still lose, are quite severe.
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