Perpignan retains Top 14 place as French rugby sees promotions and cup results
Perpignan secured its Top 14 status by defeating Provence Rugby 47‑24 in the decisive relegation‑playoff, overturning a 10‑0 early deficit. Key contributions came from Peceli Yato, Tommaso Allan, Joaquín Oviedo and Jerónimo de la Fuente, each scoring multiple tries.
The French rugby hierarchy also shifted upward: Narbonne and Nice earned promotion to Pro D2 after the Rugby Authority confirmed their administrative dossiers, completing their rise from the Nationale.
In the Top 14 quarter‑finals, Pau was eliminated by Racing 92 at the Hameau stadium, ending a strong season despite a standout performance from lock Hugo Auradou.
Lyon’s LOU Rugby finished 11th in the 2025‑2026 Top 14. Manager Karim Ghezal described the campaign as “irregular,” emphasizing the need for greater consistency while highlighting emerging talents such as Jiuta Wainiqolo.
At the amateur level, the reserve side of RC Bal‑Lons claimed the French Regional 2 championship, beating Villeneuve‑Lès‑Maguelone 27‑24 in a tightly contested final.