French rugby league system
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The major national club competition in France is the Elite one championship, below this is the Elite two championship and a number of regional leagues. The teams in each competition will change each year depending on final standings and relegation / promotion.
There is no set structure for promotion and relegation. If a club wants to go up or down a level then they will consult the Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII who will make the decision.
French clubs can also apply to the Rugby Football League for a European Super League franchise.
Hierarchy
- Super League
- Championship
- Elite One
- Elite Two
- National Division (East and West)
- Federal Leagues
Catalans Dragons are France's only representatives in the otherwise British Super League. They were awarded a place in Super League on a franchise basis, there is no automatic promotion and relegation between Super League and French domestic leagues.
Other teams such as Toulouse Olympique may join Super League in future.
Toulouse Olympique will commence playing in The Championship, a predominantly English competition, in the 2009 season. This is part of a long term strategy to secure a future Super League franchise (potentially from 2012).
There are eleven French rugby league teams playing in the Elite One Championship, the top tier of rugby league in France above the Elite Two Championship.
The Elite Two Championship is the second tier of rugby league in France below the Elite One Championship, but above the National Division East and West. There are nine teams playing in Elite 2 in 2008.
Elite 2 was created in 2007 and replaced National League One, divided two pools East and West, as the second tier. Elite 2 was intended to bridge the gap between the top division and the rest of the clubs.
The National Division is the third tier of French rugby league. It is normally divided into two equal divisions East and West. However, in 2008 it is a single pool of 11 teams
There are several regional leagues below the National Division 1. In 2008 there are the following 6:
- Île-de-France/Pays de la Loire
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Rhône-Alpes
- Languedoc-Roussillon (2 pools)
- Midi-Pyrénées
- Aquitaine
Pyramid
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Level |
League(s)/Division(s) | |||||
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1 |
Elite One Championship | |||||
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2 |
Elite Two Championship | |||||
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3 |
National Division 1 | |||||
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4 |
(All divisions run in parallel)
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See also
References
External links
- Google map - Elite One Championship teams
- Google map - Elite Two Championship teams
- Google map - National Division East teams
- Google map - National Division West teams
- Google map - Federal Leagues teams
| Federation | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National teams | |||||
| Leagues |
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| Lord Derby Cup | |||||
| Other cups | |||||
| Rugby Football League teams |
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