French Rugby League Urges Proper Maintenance of Synthetic Pitches

The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR) warns that installing the latest‑generation synthetic turf does not guarantee lasting performance; regular maintenance is essential. Through its APPE (Analyse de la performance des pelouses élites) programme, developed with expert Christophe Gestain, the league carries out two annual audits of Top 14 and Pro D2 clubs, evaluating surface quality, biomechanics, agronomy, aesthetics and infrastructure. The LNR stresses that insufficient upkeep can quickly degrade a pitch, while well‑maintained older surfaces can match newer ones.

Adoption of synthetic surfaces is accelerating in France’s second‑tier competition. Nine of the sixteen Pro D2 clubs – including Biarritz Olympique, Montauban, Soyaux‑Angoulême, Nevers, Agen, Aurillac, Colomiers and Provence Rugby – now play on artificial turf, with the remaining clubs using natural grass or hybrid lawns. Coaches such as Fabien Fortassin note that the faster, more consistent bounce enhances the spectacle, increasing points and tries, but the league’s warning underscores that the long‑term success of the transition depends on rigorous maintenance.