France's Top 14 to introduce relegation play-off
Saturday 9 July 2016 17:53, UK
A shake-up to France's Top 14 will see the introduction of a relegation play-off from the 2017-2018 season.
The reform, approved by top division organisers the LNR on Saturday, means only the team that finishes last will face an automatic drop, as opposed to the bottom two sides at present.
The team that finishes second last in the table will go into a play-off against the loser of the Pro D2 promotion play-off.
The national rugby league explained the thinking behind the change in a statement after its general assembly in Margaux.
"This reform is aimed at reducing the pressure in Top 14 linked to the risk of relegation so as to encourage attacking play and risk-taking with the use of young players, as well as securing clubs' spending and their economic models," the statement read.
Agen and Oyonnax finished in the bottom two positions in the Top 14 last season.
