Rugby Pro D2, also known as Pro D2, is the second tier of rugby union club competition division in France 🇫🇷 and was introduced in 2000. It is the world’s best supported second tier rugby union league. 💸 See below for Pro D2 Predictions.
Read more
There is relegation and promotion between both the Top 14 🥇 and Fédérale 1, the third-level competition. The top club at the end of the season is automatically promoted to the Top 14. While the 2nd through 5th place teams play each other for the second promotion place. The bottom two are automatically relegated to Fédérale 1. The bottom two clubs of the Top 14 and the top two of Fédérale 1 then enter the Rugby Pro D2 for the next season.
Format
There are 30 rounds in the regular season, with each team playing each other team home and away. The two halves of the season are played in the same order, with the away team in the first half of the season at home in the second half. The semi-finals and final take place in May, with the second- and third-place teams hosting the semi-finals and the final taking place at a predetermined site. At present, 16 clubs compete in the competition.
All promotions are contingent on passing a postseason financial audit 💰 required for all clubs. Also, if a club above the bottom two places fails the audit, it may be relegated in their place. This was especially an issue in the 2015–16 season. Four clubs faced at least the prospect of relegation for financial reasons. During the season, Tarbes were dropped to Fédérale 1 effective with the 2016–17 season, and Biarritz, Bourgoin and Narbonne were also dropped at the end of the season, pending appeals. Ultimately, Biarritz, Bourgoin, and Narbonne all won their appeals and remained in Pro D2.
See below for Pro D2 Predictions.
