The coronavirus has put paid to the French rugby season and there’ll be no winner declared for 2020.
The French Top 14 season has been officially abandoned amid the COVID-19 crisis and no champions will be named, the French rugby league (LNR) said on Tuesday.
The LNR added that no club would be relegated and no team would be promoted from the Pro D2, the second division in the country.
The decision had been widely expected since the LNR and the club presidents reached an agreement on April 30 to call off the campaign.
The LNR said in a statement that the board of directors had adopted a resolution calling for the abandonment of the Top 14 and Pro D2 championships.
It added that the European qualifying spots would be attributed “once the ECPR (European Professional Club Rugby) will have confirmed the format of competition applicable in 2020-21”.
The standings that will be taken into account are those of the day of the 17th round of the matches, with Union Bordeaux Begles on top with 61 points ahead of Lyon (53), Racing 92 (46) and RC Toulon (45).
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said in April that the 2019-20 season of sport would not be able to resume, although government to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus left room for games to be played without spectators.
Finishing the season with no spectators was never an option for the LNR as most of its clubs’ income is from ticket sales and hospitality services at the stadiums.
DaveR
Guest
What great news for Stade Francais! The Paris outfit was Top 14 winner only a handful of years ago, but this year running lonely last and facing certain relegation to ProD2 for 20/21. Figaro rugby had them as certain for relegation. Already players had started retiring or moving to greener pastures. (Hugh Pyle?) All much too early - there will have another year in the top comp. Better get it right this time!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I do like how The Roar recycled the Mogg picture from the story about him a few days ago. Very green of them! A friend close to one of the English teams told me that mid and lower teams want to cancel the season there too. It's better to keep their staff on the government wage scheme than to pay them and get TV money.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
What would be the point? I’d rather they got game time into the squad they have to either harden or cull as necessary after some actual games. I don’t see any point in using the Aus Super Rugby series to bring in overseas ringers just for 2020. If you’re going to buy talent, spend it on someone who will be here in 2021 also.
Jamie
Guest
QRU are broke because of thorne. No money left. No Chance :thumbdown:
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I'd very much doubt it. Simply due to $.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
but who pays??
The Late News
Roar Rookie
pump up the cheque book!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
for my ex? let's hope he is a stroppy individual!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
indeed. this is no small thing Mungbean. home is where the ball is fir these guys...not necessarily the cash.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
I tell you what, I think Auz and Nz is the best place to be for professional rugby players. These player who are going after the cash( I don’t blame them) could have things back fire on them. I live in the Sth of Japan where the Covid is next to nothing, knock on wood. But Tokyo and bigger populated Cities in Japan still have big problems. There must be a way some of our Aussie abroad players like Mogg in the picture can be released to play for Australian teams.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I'd hope that all of the Super teams had already reached out to people they were interested in on the off chance this happened. Geez I hope the Tahs looked for some grizzly props and locks (and some quality backrowers, halves, outside backs and bench players).
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Eben Etsebeth may be a good option.
Highlander
Guest
Three French teams in the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup too, do they simply default should the Premiership and pro14 get started. French owners putting hands in the pocket to balance the books more than usual for this year - gonna hurt.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Righto you blokes. Suddenly no cashola on in France. So bugger it. Come home and have a go. May the Force be With You!
Adsa
Roar Rookie
I wonder if Thorn could get a couple of locks on a short term contract for the upcoming series in place of Hockings & Rodda? Both Arnold's would be handy.