FACING THE AUDITORS
What if the Top 14 became a closed league? The question was put to Serge Blanco during the show "Face aux auditeurs" broadcast Saturday, November 16 at 20h on Europe 1. Asked about a potential format change of the Top 14, Serge Blanco is clear: "What is the sporting value when we play and we take no risk (relegation, ed)? Me it bothers me.
The example of a closed league however exists among our neighbors across the Channel. Today, four Welsh provinces, two Scottish provinces and four Irish provinces are grouped together in a closed league called the "Guinness Pro 14". Is this system feasible in France in the coming years? The former player in the 93 caps under the blue jersey believes that "France has a very important rugby potential.The all is to know is that in case of closed league, what sporting value will we want to bring to our sport?"
Heard on europe1:
That there is a decrease in the number of clubs going up and down, on that, I totally agree
And if really, this closed league logic was to emerge in France, Serge Blanco believes that the geographical aspect must take precedence over the sportsman: "It is not a question of potential but rather a question of will to extend our sport on the whole territory.From the professional level, there is also the amateur world and the amateur world also wants to have goals, so if we start to tell the clubs' you can go up, you can not "It's going to be complicated." Is it logical to work like this? "he asks.
However, the vice-world champion 1987 is not totally closed to a few changes to change the Top 14: "There is a decrease in the number of clubs that go up and down, it's different. On that, I completely agree. "