MASSIVE T14 Changes 18/19 Season

So Gavin Mortimer has just listed 7 huge changes to the T14 that the FFR and LNR will discuss on 26th April.

1. T14 to become 12 clubs with 1 team relegated
2. Top 6 play offs becomes semi and final only
3. The creation on a protected National Elite Player Squad of 30 players and another of 20 prospects. Those players will play fewer club games.
4. Match day squads to grow from 23 to 25 allowing 10 subs, the additions to be young French players
5. All clubs to instal synthetic pitches
6. To compensate for the loss of players to national duty the €10 mil salary cap will increase with another €200,000 (not sure if this is per player lost etc)
7. The span of the 6Ns to be reduced from 7 to 5 weeks


Lots to think about there. Big changes ahead.

Surely the IRB will have to approve the 25 players squads?

Will all teams become like Montpellier, ie full of foreigners? You would think they would do something against that given France results the last few seasons.

Good point there was a mention that the larger squads must use young French players for the extra spaces.

Isn't this simply making things worse, widening the gap between the 'haves' and 'don't haves'. Increasing the salary cap surely is sending the French in the wrong direction.
As for synthetic pitches, well I'm old fashioned and believe rugby should be played on a natural surface. Mud is part of rugby

Oyonnax is a great example of synthetic pitch failure, they were doing great last season at home on their heavy pitch and good pack of forwards. Never looked quite the same this season and now Pro D2 is waiting for them.

Hybrid pitches are the way to go.

Wouldn't like to see the 6Ns reduced, an increase in subs or artificial pitches tbh. You already see players like Jack Nowell giving Saracens matches a miss; whether that's following medical advice or just a mistrust I don't know but wouldn't like to see players with dodgy knees etc suffering.

As said there are proposals there that the French can introduce unilaterally; one that needs 6N approval; and the subs issue may need to go to World Rugby.

Personally I am in favour of artificial pitches, although it depends on the specification; and would not be happy with the 6N schedule being compressed.  As to the subs, lots to consider.

I'd like to see fewer subs not more. Although it would have to be a world rugby thing as it would create a hugely imbalanced field. If the T14/12 were to do it on their own I can't see how it would benefit the national team. They're be even more fat and boring.

I agree with Des. The advent of more subs I believe has caused more injuries, as players in certain conditions are now prepped to play 50-60 minutes max, and therefore come in bulkier rather than fitter. I would decrease it to a 5 man bench, which has to include 1 hooker and 1 prop.

Seems like the Radicals are back in charge in Paris again.  That is never good.  

I suppose we all have the same questions.  
I wonder how they can mandate a change in the 6 Nations timing unilaterally.
Increase in match day squads.
Artificial pitches.

For me, I don't get the desire for the artificial pitches.  They are understandable in the cold and rainy British Isles.  But in the south of France, it seems to make no sense from a Rugby perspective.

The reduction from 14 to 12 teams will mean fewer matches which will impact club revenue.  Can't see some people being happy with that.............

Ozzy3213 wrote:I agree with Des.  The advent of more subs I believe has caused more injuries, as players in certain conditions are now prepped to play 50-60 minutes max, and therefore come in bulkier rather than fitter.  I would decrease it to a 5 man bench, which has to include 1 hooker and 1 prop.

As an Edinburgh supporter I don't often have much to be proud of but our conditioning is excellent.  There is rarely a scheduled substitution (with the exception of fatigued internationalists like Ross Ford) and you can see the benefit of the continuity it brings.  If someone's having a stormer, they stay on.

There are major issues with our lack of rotation but in the first half of the season it's a big benefit.

I know they're suggesting it would give young french players game time but there's nothing to say they wouldn't just be young french monster forwards.  If T14 teams has 10 subs per game they could go for an 8/2 split and bring on an entirely new pack in the second half.  That would be horrendous as a spectator sport and then when it wasn't available for international games they'd drop off a cliff in the second half.

With the extra subs you could almost go down the soccer route, and allow 10 men on the bench. Allowing a specialist Losehead, Hooker, Tighthead, Lock, Flanker, No8; Scrum Half, Fly Half, Centre, Wide Back, but then have a limit of only 5 changes per match.

I would think all three NH leagues would want the 6N condensed into a 5 week period which would potentially rachet up the excitement. There are potential downsides for players but fans would generally be in favour?

I have always believed there have been too many subs in recent years which together with lifting in the lineout have changed the nature of the forward packs in games.