The President of the French National Rugby League (LNR) indicated Thursday that the Top 14 championship would remain a 14-team league next season, rather than expanding to a 16-club format preferred by some club presidents.
National rugby league president Pierre-Yves Revol, pictured in January 2012. The President of the French National Rugby League (LNR) indicated Thursday that the Top 14 championship would remain a 14-team league next season, rather than expanding to a 16-club format preferred by some club presidents.
"Certain presidents wanted to put on the agenda the evolution of the Top 14 and a certain number of presidents fought for a Top 16 from next season," Pierre-Yves Revol said following a meeting between presidents of the top-flight clubs.
"On this subject, the position that I stated that was understood and admitted is that it is not possible to change a league formula during the season ethically and also legally, it would probably be very debatable," he added.
According to a poll conducted by AFP, the presidents of Brive, Bordeaux, Perpignan and Racing-Metro are in favour of an expanded league, while Toulouse, Stade Francais, Clermont and Biarritz are reportedly opposed to the idea.