Rugby Pro D2, also known as Pro D2 is the second level of domestic club rugby union in France, below the first division, Top 14. The competition was introduced in 2000. There is relegation and promotion between both the Top 14 and Fédérale 1, the third-level competition. The top club at the end of the season is automatically promoted to the Top 14; the 2nd through 5th place teams play each other for the second promotion place.
The bottom two are automatically relegated to Fédérale 1. The bottom two clubs of the Top 14 and the top two of Fédérale 1 then enter the Rugby Pro D2 for the next season. There are 30 rounds in the regular season, with each team playing each other team home and away. The two halves of the season are played in the same order, with the away team in the first half of the season at home in the second half. The semi-finals and final take place in May, with the second- and third-place teams hosting the semi-finals and the final taking place at a predetermined site. At present, 16 clubs compete in the competition.
All promotions are contingent on passing a postseason financial audit required for all clubs. Also, if a club above the bottom two places fails the audit, it may be relegated in the place of a club that would otherwise have been relegated.
[edit] Current teams
2011–12 season
Location of teams in Rugby Pro D2 2011–12
Changes in the lineup from 2010–11 were:
- Lyon OU won the 2010–11 Pro D2 title and were thereby automatically promoted to Top 14. Union Bordeaux Bègles won the promotion playoffs to secure the second promotion place.
- The two bottom finishers in 2010–11, Colomiers and Saint-Étienne, were relegated from Pro D2 to Fédérale 1.
- The two finalists in Fédérale 1—champion Béziers and runner-up Périgueux—earned promotion.
[edit] Champions
[edit] Seasons
[edit] Notes and references
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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2011–12 Rugby Pro D2 season
France
