JAMES HARRINGTON
FRENCH COLUMN

Politics at the top of the FFR overshadowed the return of the Top 14 this week, which – nine months out from the World Cup – has left the union in tatters, and may even trump the recent efforts of the English and Welsh unions to alienate clubs.
Bernard Laporte’s bid to appoint a loyal member of his ‘caucus’ as interim president, pending an appeal against his conviction for corruption, was rejected in a forced vote by France’s 1,900 or so clubs on Thursday.
On a turnout of more than 90 per cent, 51.06 per cent voted against the nomination of Patrick Buisson a...