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Ligue Nationale de RugbyThe Ligue Nationale de Rugby (English: National Rugby League—not used as it is the name of the Australian rugby league league) is the name of the national professional rugby union league of France. It is divided into two divisions:
The first French championship was held in 1892, with Racing Club de France beating Stade Français, though the "stadistes" got their revenge the following year in a repeat of the final. More than a century later, those two Paris-based outfits are the only two teams from the North of France currently playing in France's professional league—Stade Français in Le Top 16, and Racing's successor club Métro-Racing in Pro D2. Traditionally in the first phase of the Top 16, the teams were divided into two pools of eight. This was followed by a second phase, in which the eight highest-ranked teams played for semi-final spots and the bottom eight teams battled against relegation. The championship final, in which the Bouclier de Brennus was at stake, took place at the Parc des Princes and more recently Stade de France. Development players are given a chance in the Coupe de la Ligue, with its fixtures planned when the top players are with the national team. It is now a league of 16 teams in one pool, from 2005/6 the competition will be run with a single pool of 14 teams.
Le Top 16 (first division)
Rugby Pro D2 (second division)
Past winners
Between 1915 and 1919, due to World War I the "Coupe de l'Espérance" was played instead. See alsoExternal links
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