Paris (AFP)

The Top 14 clubs voted unanimously on Wednesday to seize the Council of State in the dispute between them and the French Rugby Federation concerning the provision of internationals during the fall, we learned from corroborating sources.

However, this procedure will only be initiated for lack of an amicable solution found between the clubs, associated with the National Rugby League (LNR), and the FFR, a source close to the LNR told AFP confirming press information.

The LNR offered several conciliation meetings to the federation.

Without an agreement reached by Monday evening, the clubs and the LNR will launch the procedure with the Council of State, explained this source as well as the president of Racing 92 Jacky Lorenzetti.

"By voting unanimously, professional rugby has shown its strength and shown that it is united," commented Mr. Lorenzetti after a videoconference meeting between club leaders, or their representatives, and the NRL.

The leaders of the Top 14 and the FFR disagree on the duration of the availability of internationals to the XV of France for the international autumn window scheduled from October 24 to December 6.

The FFR requires the benefit of internationals for six matches, the LNR and the clubs only agree to five matches, even though the championship will continue to take place in parallel.

World Rugby, the governing body of world rugby whose vice-president is the president of the FFR Bernard Laporte, decided at the end of July to extend the international window from three to six weekends to allow the federations to replenish the funds put hurt by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The XV of France must play six matches during this period: a preparatory meeting on October 24 against Wales, her last match of the 2020 Six Nations Tournament, which she can still win, against Ireland on the 31st. October at the Stade de France.

Then she must participate in four matches counting for the Autumn Nations Cup, a new competition launched this season with eight teams, those of the Tournament plus Fiji and Georgia.

For the clubs, this means paying for the salaries of the players, ensuring the costs related to possible injuries in a complicated context, due to the economic consequences of the new coronavirus pandemic.

© 2020 AFP