French rugby league system

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

Super League

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.

Championship

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).

Elite One Championship

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.

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.

National Division 1

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

Federal Leagues

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

Level	League(s)/Division(s)
1	Elite One Championship (Elite One Championship) 12 clubs – 1 relegations
2	Elite Two Championship (Elite Two Championship) 12 clubs – 1 promotions, 2 relegations
3	National Division 1 (National Division 1) 14 clubs – 2 promotions, 2 relegations
4	(All divisions run in parallel) Île-de-France/Pays de la Loire Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Rhône-Alpes Languedoc-Roussillon (2 pools) Midi-Pyrénées Aquitaine

References

External links