The presidents of the Top 14 voted unanimously to extend the international window of the fall to five weeks, against three usually, allowing the Blues to play two more matches, AFP learned from a source familiar with the matter. The XV of France, which must face Georgia, Australia and South Africa between 7 and 21 November, would thus have two additional dates. The French Rugby Federation (FFR), for its part, wants six and refuses to validate the calendar of the Top 14 2020-2021, currently under study, until its proposal has not been accepted, thus depriving the clubs of their commercial operations (subscriptions, ticket sales, special packages …).
The federal project cranked the elite clubs, which would be deprived of their international for 52 days from October 11. The counter-plan of the League would allow the Blues to play five matches, including the last day of the Six Nations Tournament against Ireland at the Stade de France, over five consecutive weekends, from October 31 to November 28. “There is a balance to be struck between favoring one without disadvantaging the other too much. This point of balance was found with, exceptionally, two more international matches in the fall of 2020, ”explained LNR president Paul Goze to AFP. “For the health of international players, for the financial balances of the clubs and the FFR, this is the best compromise possible. We hope that this proposal will lead to a rapid agreement, ”he added.
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