Quota by Jiff, Salary Cap … For a few seasons, the second division has become the breeding ground for the elite. Explanations.
JIFF’s quota, precursor of this movement
The JIFF quota (player from French training) must be meticulously respected in France. This is the first reason why the Top 14 clubs head to teams from the lower level to carry out their recruitment. For Yann Roubert, president of the National Rugby League, this strategy is essential, especially since the clubs that respect this rule receive financial bonuses. “The JIFF bonus must guide the Top 14 clubs in priority to the Pro D2 clubs. You must have an average of 17 JIFF in the workforce, which in no way closes the door to recruits of international standing like Manu Tiilagi for example. ” It is therefore easier for the clubs that evolve in the elite to seek young French nuggets in Pro D2 or, even, in amateur clubs.
The pro D2, breeding ground for young talents
Speaking of nuggets, this is also why the first division clubs turn to the Pro D2. From that moment, there are two possible scenarios, “Either the clubs recruit players at a lower level to explode them in Top 14, or they are fighting to win the nuggets of Pro D2” Lance Yann Roubert. Another imaginable case, the recruitment of young foreign talents from the training center, who would become Jiff at the same time. “This is exactly what we did for Béka Saguinadze, who happened from Georgia. He became Jiff and he quickly adapted to the top 14 ” explains the LNR boss, who held the post of president of the Lou a few months ago. This year again, several Pro D2 nuggets have been offered contracts by large stables of Top 14. This is the case of Ugo Pacôme (La Rochelle), Mathis Ferté (Toulon) or Léo Carbonneau (Racing 92) … This phenomenon is not only visible among young people. This is the case of Steve Blanc-Mappaz, recruited last season by the Lou when he was already 34 years old …
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An important weapon to respect the Salary Cap
The Salary Cap is a file that the new president of the League knows well. Yann Roubert has implemented new rules to harden sanctions. While it is a subject that makes a lot of talk each year, clubs must organize to be able to respect it. This is also why the recruitment in Pro D2 becomes a formidable weapon. “This rule requires clubs to bet on the training and discovery of talents”. CHey, this is not the primary objective of this rule. “The goal is to allow all clubs to manage their deficits, so yes, the Top 14 stables are recruiting more and more often in the lower level, because transfers cost less, but it is not the main objective.”
The pro D2, “a championship in its own right”
For Yann Roubert, the pro D2 is a championship in its own right, and we must not forget it. “Yes, the pro D2 becomes a pool, but clubs have more and more ambitions. Things are changing. Pro D2 clubs are fighting more and more to keep their young talents and build a competitive workforce to go up to the upper ladder and try to settle there. This pushes Pro D2 clubs to renew themselves, to fight to keep their players and bring them to the highest level as quickly as possible, by having them under contract. Which constantly improves the average level of this championship. ”
