Mid-table Racing on top of the JIFF chart

THE argument that the French Top 14 is a haven for overseas megaplayers is increasingly hard to defend – to the point where, now, it is almost impossible.

The Ligue Nationale de Rugby, which runs the two men’s professional leagues in France, released JIFF averages for the 14 clubs in the French top flight and the 16 clubs in the secondtier ProD2 on Thursday.

Clubs are required to maintain an average of 16 JIFF players in their matchday 23 across the season. These are players who have come through the ecoles de rugby and academy set-ups at French clubs – who have ties to the French game, even if they are not French born, or necessarily French qualified.

Failure to hit the target at the end of the season could lead to a points reduction.

Racing 92 lead the way. On average, Laurent Travers has selected more than 20 JIFF players every match of the first ten games of the season. Jacky Lorenzetti’s club has made a virtue of selecting ‘homegrown’ players – they have just eight non-JIFF senior players on their books – out of a maximum of 14 permitted.

Both Bordeaux and Clermont averaged more than 19 JIFF players per game in the opening block, followed by Lyon and Toulouse – both with an average of well over 18.

Montpellier, La Rochelle and Brive all select an average of 17 or more qualified players, while Pau, Stade Francais and Castres all come in on or above the minimum requirement for the season.

Of the established Top 14 sides, only Toulon – averaging 15.7 JIFF players per match – are below the minimum threshold.

Meanwhile, promoted Perpignan and Biarritz are maintaining figures above their revised minimum of 14 JIFF players per squad. The Catalans, in fact, are not far behind Toulon.

Next season, established teams will be required to maintain a matchday average of 17 JIFF players, and will be limited to a maximum 13 non-JIFF senior players on their books.