With the Top 14 in temporary hiatus for the quarter and semi-final phases of the 2019/20 European competitions, let’s take a step back and look at some French rugby news you may have missed.
Investment opportunity
A British investment fund has reportedly offered the LNR a CVC-level €200m for a stake in French professional rugby.
Midi Olympique claimed that the 30 professional clubs that make up the Top 14 and ProD2 leagues are considering the offer from London-based independent private equity firm Novalpina in return for 20 per cent of their commercial assets.
In a letter seen by Midol, LNR president Paul Goze wrote that the “interest opens interesting financial prospects for the development and influence of our sport”.
If the deal goes ahead, Novalpina would invest €200m in French rugby in return for advertising management and the negotiation of TV rights, Midol said.
The money would then be distributed among the 30 clubs – giving them a crucial financial lifeline.
France‘s professional rugby clubs have recently called on the government to extend an exemption of social charges that could save some clubs from bankruptcy. Those at risk are said to include Toulouse, Bordeaux and La Rochelle.
The offer is likely to be close to the top of the agenda at the next meeting of club presidents, scheduled for October 6 in Lyon.
International row
Money matters aren’t the only thing occupying the minds of the great and good walking in the corridors of French rugby power. They are also considering the following question: will France play six internationals this autumn, or just five? In all the excitement of recent on-pitch rugby, the truth is we still don’t know.
The FFR announced Les Bleus would play six times in this year’s extended end-of-year window: against Wales on October 24; the 2020 Six Nations‘ game against Ireland postponed from March on October 31; then four Autumn Nations’ Cup games against Fiji, Scotland, Italy and an opponent to be decided between November 11 and the weekend of December 5 and 6.
At least, that’s the plan. It’s safe to say the LNR, which runs the professional game on behalf of the 30 clubs of the Top 14 and ProD2, who in turn pay the players, aren’t impressed.
Earlier this month, the LNR filed a legal challenge with the European Commission over World Rugby’s decision to extend Regulation 9, which obliges clubs to release players in international windows.
Meanwhile, they also threatened to take the FFR to France’s highest administrative court, the Conseil d’Etat over their plan to schedule the match against Wales on October 24. While the EU Commission runs at its own pace, the threat of legal action at home prompted the required reaction from the FFR, and brought it to the negotiating table.
“We are still optimistic that a solution will be found,” FFR vice-president Serge Simon told RMC Sport. “We’re optimistic and convinced that we’ll find an agreement to tackle this very special autumn window under advantageous conditions for both the French national team and the clubs.
“Since the beginning, we’ve been making proposals and we’re going to make it happen… it is a duty to find an agreement for our two institutions.”
Player concerns
It’s not just the clubs who are worried about the extended international window. Some players, too, are concerned about playing even five internationals. Toulon president Bernard Lemaitre told Canal Plus that ‘essential’ internationals at the club had aired their worries over the length of this autumn’s international window.
The club counts France captain Charles Ollivon, Baptiste Serin, Romain Taofifenua, Louis Carbonel and the injured Anthony Belleau among theirranks
“We have internationals in Toulon,” Lemaitre said. “I spoke with them about this situation and they are themselves very annoyed.
“They are embarrassed. They don’t even want to play five matches in a row, especially some that could be considered indispensable for the French team. It’s a situation that is damaging for everyone and distressing.”
Legal wrangles
Tom Taylor, who recently signed for Japanese Top League side Toshiba Brave Lupus, is demanding compensation of nearly €1m from former club, Pau, following his dismissal in June after he returned to New Zealand in March, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, without approval.
The sum is said to correspond to contractual salary and image rights until June 2022. A conciliation hearing between the club and player’s representatives is due to take place on October 1.
Meanwhile, Leone Nakarawa has failed to agree a settlement with Racing 92 following his sacking for a late return to the club after the World Cup in Japan. His case will now go to a full tribunal, also scheduled for October 1, where he is demanding more than €1m excluding image rights.
Re-signings
Bordeaux and Stade Francais have been busy tying key players to new deals before they could be tempted away to pastures new. Scrum-half Yann Lesgourgues, lock Jandre Marais, flanker Cameron Woki, full-back Nans Ducuing, and props Jefferson Poirot and Lekso Kaulashvili have all signed new deals.
Meanwhile, shortly after their win over Castres Olympique, Stade Francais announced full-back Kylian Hamdaoui, centre/wing Julien Delbouis, and inter-generational fly-halves Nicolas Sanchez and Joris Segonds had all agreed new contracts.
Bottled up
La Rochelle’s Australian lock Lopeti Timani has been fined €10,000 after throwing a bottle in a nightclub that hit a bouncer in the face.
