Rugby: the XV of France will play six games this fall

Deprived of an oval ball since March due to the health crisis, aficionados of rugby and the XV of France will be entitled to a double dose of blue in the fall. As expected, World Rugby validated on Thursday the recommendation issued by its executive committee last week, namely an extension of the next international window from three to seven weeks. A decision made possible by the exceptional and temporary modification of rule 9 governing the secondment of internationals.

As coach Fabien Galthié wished, the Blues will thus be able to play six games between October 24 and December 6, instead of the usual three. They should return to the field on October 24 with a preparation match against Scotland or Wales before continuing the following weekend with the reception of Ireland at the end of the Six Nations Tournament. Initially scheduled for March 14 before being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the meeting could allow the XV of France to win the Tournament for the first time since 2010.

An unprecedented tournament envisaged

After a weekend of rest (November 7), the six European nations and two invited teams, probably Fiji and Japan, should deliver an unprecedented competition. Nothing has been finalized yet, but the formula of two pools of four (so three matches per team) and a classification match would hold the rope, according to the British media.

"Today is an important day for our sport because it is a first step towards recovery after the global Covid-19 pandemic," said Bernard Laporte, vice-president of World Rugby and also president of the French Federation (FFR ) on the website of the international body. It was not an easy task and we had a lot of frank discussions, but the position taken by the Council today represents the best possible solution in the interest of rugby as a whole. I look forward to seeing the best players in the world do what they do best on the international stage. "

This widening of the international window and the increase in the number of matches should indeed make it possible to bail out a little the funds of the Federations, and in particular that of the FFR, which the health crisis and the end of the competitions have undermined.

An appeal to the courts of the League and the Top 14 clubs?

But this decision does not make people happy. The French (the Top 14, which will start on September 4) and English (the Premiership) championships will thus be deprived of their internationals and therefore of the best players for longer than expected. Also financially tested by the coronavirus crisis, the National Rugby League (LNR) and the Top 14 clubs were ready to exceptionally release their players for five weeks, instead of three. As soon as the announcement of a possible modification of rule 9 to extend the availability of internationals from three to six weekends, the Premiership and the NRL denounced a "unilateral decision".

The League and club presidents could well then still express their discontent and make their voices heard. It remains to be seen whether they will go so far as to file an appeal in court. This cannot be ruled out.