Rugby: the clubs have made "a sufficiently substantial effort", according to Paul Goze - France 24

Paris (AFP)

Five or six international matches in the fall? A group of 42 players for the XV of France? The proposal of professional clubs to go from three to five matches "is a sufficiently substantial effort", said Wednesday the president of the LNR Paul Goze to AFP.

French clubs have indeed declared themselves willing to extend the international window, disrupted by the pandemic, to bring it to five dates over five weeks, one less than the French Rugby Federation (FFR) wishes.

"We are on our positions and we are waiting for the Federation to eventually make proposals on how they see the problem. We are extremely firm on this proposal: it is estimated that three to five matches is a sufficiently substantial effort. Especially in the current context, it is not possible for the clubs to make more effort, "Goze told AFP.

"We are in solidarity with international rugby, but we cannot be united by scuttling ourselves. We made a very important effort at a very difficult time, I think that is the maximum. We are waiting to start a discussion. with the Federation ", he also confided.

Initially, the XV of France was to play three matches in November but World Rugby doubled the window of the autumn tests at the end of July: result, the Blues could play six matches between October 24 and December 6, which would make it possible to bail out in part of a cash flow undermined by the health crisis, but would deprive the clubs of their internationals.

"We are waiting for the Federation to come back to us with a proposal. We have made our own. Five weeks, five matches. I think the Federation will come back to us, because there are two things to settle: the number of matches but also the provision. The number of matches does not regulate the number of players who are made available during international periods ", continued the president of the NRL.

"All this must be negotiated according to the agreement between the FFR and the LNR. We are therefore waiting for the Federation to come back to us with its proposal and, from there, we will negotiate, if necessary", a- he assured.

© 2020 AFP