Paris (AFP)

The LNR considers that the convocations sent to 31 international players for the Blues match against Wales on October 24 are "null and void", according to a letter sent by the League to the Federation, in which it also proposes a new conciliation meeting on Monday.

In a letter written by the president of the LNR and intended for the boss of French rugby, which AFP was able to consult, the League explains that these summons were made "outside the period of provision conventionally provided for".

Paul Goze therefore asks Bernard Laporte to "confirm that these convocations are null and void as long as an agreement is not found between the FFR and the LNR".

In this three-page long letter, also addressed to the presidents of the Top 14 clubs, the National Rugby League proposed a new conciliation meeting to the French Rugby Federation for Monday, around the conflict between them over the matches of the 'autumn.

"It seems urgent to me that the FFR-LNR strategic committee meet on Monday morning to discuss the changes that may be made to the agreement in the context of autumn 2020", writes the president of LNR.

Club presidents will meet on Sunday morning to "discuss the way forward now," a source familiar with the matter said on Saturday.

The day before, the Council of State, seized by the League, had indeed returned the two instances back to back, believing that a change in the number of matches of the XV of France can not be done without the common agreement of both parties. but also, and above all, only after modification of the convention which binds them.

In question, the number of matches played by the Blues in the fall.

While World Rugby has extended the international window from three to seven weeks (October 24 to December 6), the Federation insists on playing six matches during this period, one more than the League wants.

Coach Fabien Galthié announced Wednesday his list of 31 players called up for the match against Wales.

The Blues are supposed to meet in Marcoussis from Monday, October 19 to prepare for the first of six matches officially announced by the FFR.

© 2020 AFP