French rugby chiefs hold emergency merger talks

The proposed merger between Racing 92 and Stade Francais will be discussed at an emergency meeting of France’s Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) tomorrow.

The Paris outfits stunned the rugby world on Monday when they announced they would pool their resources from next term and form a Top 14 super club. But the move has been met with anger in some quarters with France’s Stade centre Jonathan Danty revealing that the news had sent shockwaves through the Les Bleus camp and produced talk of strike action from players.

The LNR has responded by convening an emergency meeting with Racing 92 and Stade officials, as well as representatives of players and coaches from both clubs.

An LNR statement said: “The project to bring together the professional sections of the Stade Francais Paris and Racing 92 is provoking numerous reactions, questions and concerns, both on the social and cultural impacts linked to this rapprochement and on the sporting consequences on the Top 14.

“The LNR calls for dialogue and will pay close attention to this unprecedented dossier in the world of professional rugby and intends to ensure the interests of all stakeholders, in particular players, coaches and coworkers of both clubs.”

Stade president Thomas Savare and Racing chief Jacky Lorenzetti believe the two Paris sides are better off merging to compete with the likes of Top 14 leaders La Rochelle, Clermont and Toulon. Racing are currently eighth in the league, with Stade struggling in 11th.

But jobs would be put at risk, including those of players and coaches, and the news has created uncertainty ahead of France’s final Six Nations game against Wales on Saturday.

Danty and wing Djibril Camara went against the wishes of the France management and left the squad hotel on Monday to discuss the issue with stunned Stade team-mates.

In an interview published on the L’equipe website, Danty said strike action could not be ruled out.

“Yes and no, because if we strike, we would need the Racing players to do so as well,” Danty said after the Stade players had met.

“We’ve always been told we’re the club’s future. We’ve often heard that if we leave, the club dies. And then we find out what’s been done behind our backs.”

But a joint statement on the two clubs’ official websites insisted a merger was the best solution for the clubs in the future.